Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order

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Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series is a long-running, highly successful set of crime novels based in and around the fictional Yorkshire town of Eastvale. Beginning with the publication of Gallows View in 1987, the series would go on to comprise more than 2 dozen books, a handful of short stories, and a television adaptation.

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (1)

Robinson has stated that the fictional setting for the Inspector Banks books, Eastvale, was loosely based on North Yorkshire towns like Ripon and Richmond:

Eastvale is modelled on North Yorkshire towns such as Ripon and Richmond, with cobbled maket squares, rather than the kind with one main high street, like Northallerton or Thirsk. I had to make it much larger than those towns, of course, otherwise who would believe there could be that many murders? I’ve probably killed the population of the Yorkshire Dales three times over as it is!

Inspector Banks Book 1 | Gallows View (1987)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (2)

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Inspector Banks Book 2 | A dedicated man (1988)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (3)

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Inspector Banks Book 3 | A Necessary End (1989)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (4)

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Inspector Banks Book 4 | The Hanging Valley (1989)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (5)

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Inspector Banks Book 5 | Past Reason Hated (1991)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (6)

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Inspector Banks Book 6 | wednesday's child (1992)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (7)

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Inspector Banks Book 7 | Dry bones That dream (US: Final account) (1994)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (8)

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Inspector Banks Book 8 | Innocent Graves (1996)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (9)

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Inspector Banks Book 9 | Dead right (US: Blood at the Root) (1997)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (10)

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Inspector Banks Book 10 | In A Dry Season (1999)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (11)

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Inspector Banks Book 11 | Cold is the Grave (2000)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (12)

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Inspector Banks Book 12 | Aftermath (2001)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (13)

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Inspector Banks Book 13 | The Summer that Never Was (US: Close to Home) (2003)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (14)

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Inspector Banks Book 14 | Playing with Fire (2004)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (15)

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Inspector Banks Book 15 | Strange Affair (2005)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (16)

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Inspector Banks Book 16 | Piece of My Heart (2006)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (17)

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Inspector Banks Book 17 | Friend of the Devil (2007)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (18)

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Inspector Banks Book 18 | All the Colours of Darkness (2008)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (19)

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Inspector Banks Book 19 | Bad Boy (2010)

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Inspector Banks Book 20 | Watching the Dark (2012)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (21)

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Inspector Banks Book 21 | Children of the Revolution (2013)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (22)

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Inspector Banks Book 22 | Abbatoir Blues (US: In the Dark Places) (2014)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (23)

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Inspector Banks Book 23 | When the Music's Over (2016)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (24)

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Inspector Banks Book 24 | Sleeping in the Ground (2017)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (25)

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Inspector Banks Book 25 | Careless Love (2018)

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Inspector Banks Book 26 | Many Rivers to Cross (2019)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (27)

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Inspector Banks Book 27 | Not Dark Yet (2021)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (28)

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Inspector Banks Book 28 | Standing in the Shadows (2023)

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (29)

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In addition to the main series, author Peter Robinson created a few other works within the same world.

Short Story Collections

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (30)

This collection of Robinson's short stories includes several about Inspector Banks, along with some unrelated stories he published in magazines and anthologies.

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Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (31)

This later collection of short stories also includes several about Inspector Banks.

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Related Novel: Caedmon's Song

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (32)

Though this is Robinson's first novel NOT to feature Inspector Banks, it's not entirely unrelated. The subject of the novel is revisited in the Inspector Banks novel Friend of the Devil, where the story is brought together with the story from Aftermath, an earlier Banks novel.

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The DCI Banks book series was adapted for television back in 2010, going on to air for 6 years and 5 seasons. Stephen Tompkinson (Ballykissangel, Trollied) starred as Inspector Alan Banks, while Andrea Lowe (Sherwood) played Annie Cabbot and Caroline Catz (Doc Martin, Murder in Suburbia) played Helen Morton.

Watch it: BritBox (US) | BritBox (UK)

Sadly, Inspector Banks author Peter Robinson died on 4 October 2022 after a short illness. A 28th book, Standing in the Shadows, was available for pre-order at the time of his passing. A good man by all accounts, he and his work will be greatly missed.

Given the timetables of most publishing houses, there's no reason to suggest that one won't be released – but it's unlikely we'll be seeing any further volumes unless Robinson had others in the queue or a plan in place for handing off the series (like MC Beaton did with her Agatha Raisin series and Hamish Macbeth series).

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Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (34)

FAQs

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB? ›

It is possible to read each of the novels without having read any of the others but some do contain major spoilers, so if you are intending to read more than one it is best to read them in chronological order.

Do you need to read Inspector Banks books in order? ›

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What order are Peter Robinson books? ›

A series by Peter Robinson

Gallows View (1987)
A Dedicated Man (1988)
A Necessary End (1989)
The Hanging Valley (1989)
Past Reason Hated (1991)
Wednesday's Child (1992)
Final Account (1994) aka Dry Bones That Dream.
Innocent Graves (1996)

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How many DCI Banks series were there? ›

The following is a list of the 32 episodes of the ITV crime drama series DCI Banks, starring Stephen Tompkinson (series 1-5), Andrea Lowe (series 1-5) and Caroline Catz (series 2-5). Five series plus a pilot episode of the series have been broadcast between 27 September 2010 and 5 October 2016.

What is the best Peter Robinson mystery? ›

In a Dry Season, the tenth novel in the series, was published in 1999. The novel is widely acclaimed as Robinson's best, a large step forward in ambition from previous books, and this was reflected in its critical and commercial response.

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Do you need to read book series in order? ›

Most refer back to previous books but you don't get the true character development if you read out of order. I prefer to read in order, but occasionally have randomly picked up a book and liked it so much that I have started at the beginning of the series and continued in order.

What is the 6th book of Inspector Banks? ›

Wednesday's Child: Compulsive mystery in the number one bestselling Inspector Banks series (The Inspector Banks series, 6)

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What is the last Inspector Banks book? ›

It's sad to recognise that Standing In The Shadows is the very last DCI Banks story. Peter Robinson had a wonderful way of presenting his characters. Alan Banks was always interesting, being someone who could live in a fairly remote place and enjoy his solitude.

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What happened to DCI Banks' wife? ›

In the 1999 novel, In A Dry Season, Banks and his wife, Sandra, are separated and eventually divorce. The character of Detective Sergeant (subsequently Detective Inspector) Annie Cabbot makes her first appearance as a member of Banks' team.

Why was Annie killed off on DCI Banks? ›

Tamsin also revealed that she confessed to killing Charlie to Annie and after Steve realized this, he had another of his henchman kill Annie to keep her quiet.

Why did Andrea Lowe leave DCI Banks show? ›

DI Helen Morton (Caroline Catz) does not appear in Peter Robinson's original novels. She was introduced in Series 2 as a temporary replacement for DS Annie Cabbot (Andrea Lowe) who took maternity leave because Andrea Lowe was pregnant in real life. Helen (Caroline) stayed for the last three seasons.

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Is DCI Banks a good series? ›

Excellent English crime drama- I am no fan of Caroline Catz, but she does not manage to drag this down with her constant over-acting - Tomkinson and the rest of the cast provide the necessary gravitas, very subtle humour and at times, despair. At the end of each episode, I am left wanting more - always a good sign!

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What was Peter Robinson's last book? ›

PETER ROBINSON was a beloved crime novelist whose work spanned thirty-five years. His final novel, Standing In the Shadows, is the twenty-eighth installment in the Inspector Banks series.

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Who is the best-selling mystery writer of all time? ›

Born in Torquay in 1890, Agatha Christie became, and remains, the best-selling novelist of all time. She is best known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, as well as the world's longest-running play – The Mousetrap.

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How old was Peter Robinson when he died? ›

The crime writer Peter Robinson has died aged 72, his publisher has announced. The Yorkshire-born author died suddenly on the 4 October after a brief illness, publisher Hodder & Stoughton said.

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Do you have to read Inspector Rebus books in order? ›

Each of the novels is linked by returning characters, such as Siobhan Clarke and 'Big Ger' Cafferty, but you can start reading the Rebus books at any point in the series, and you don't need to have read the earlier books to enjoy the later ones.

Get More Info Here ›

Do I need to read Harry Bosch books in order? ›

In what order should I read the Harry Bosch books? You should read them in publication order so you can follow along with how the character grows and develops. However, keep in mind that publication order is not the same as the chronological order, and some people prefer to read the books chronologically.

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Do you need to read under suspicion series in order? ›

Alafair Burke They can be read in any order, and you can read this without knowing anything about the previous stories. However, the relationships among the characters do evolve over time.

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Do you have to read Detective DD Warren books in order? ›

Lisa Gardner No. In terms of plot, all stand alone and provide resolution. For the sake of character development, you may enjoy reading them in order.

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Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB (2024)

Inspector Banks Book 1 | Gallows View (1987)

Inspector Banks Book 2 | A dedicated man (1988)

Inspector Banks Book 3 | A Necessary End (1989)

Inspector Banks Book 4 | The Hanging Valley (1989)

Inspector Banks Book 5 | Past Reason Hated (1991)

Inspector Banks Book 6 | wednesday's child (1992)

Inspector Banks Book 7 | Dry bones That dream (US: Final account) (1994)

Inspector Banks Book 8 | Innocent Graves (1996)

Inspector Banks Book 9 | Dead right (US: Blood at the Root) (1997)

Inspector Banks Book 10 | In A Dry Season (1999)

Inspector Banks Book 11 | Cold is the Grave (2000)

Inspector Banks Book 12 | Aftermath (2001)

Inspector Banks Book 13 | The Summer that Never Was (US: Close to Home) (2003)

Inspector Banks Book 14 | Playing with Fire (2004)

Inspector Banks Book 15 | Strange Affair (2005)

Inspector Banks Book 16 | Piece of My Heart (2006)

Inspector Banks Book 17 | Friend of the Devil (2007)

Inspector Banks Book 18 | All the Colours of Darkness (2008)

Inspector Banks Book 19 | Bad Boy (2010)

Inspector Banks Book 20 | Watching the Dark (2012)

Inspector Banks Book 21 | Children of the Revolution (2013)

Inspector Banks Book 22 | Abbatoir Blues (US: In the Dark Places) (2014)

Inspector Banks Book 23 | When the Music's Over (2016)

Inspector Banks Book 24 | Sleeping in the Ground (2017)

Inspector Banks Book 25 | Careless Love (2018)

Inspector Banks Book 26 | Many Rivers to Cross (2019)

Inspector Banks Book 27 | Not Dark Yet (2021)

Inspector Banks Book 28 | Standing in the Shadows (2023)

Short Story Collections

Related Novel: Caedmon's Song

FAQs

Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks Book Series in Order - GREAT BRITISH BOOK CLUB? ›

Why was Annie killed off on DCI Banks? ›