Product Description

In the early hours of a cold January morning, two narrow boats catch fire on the dead-end stretch of the Eastvale canal. When signs of accelerant are found at the scene, DCI Banks and DI Annie Cabbot are summoned. But by the time they arrive, only the smouldering wreckage is left, and human remains have been found on both boats.

The evidence points towards a deliberate attack. But who was the intended victim? Was it Tina, the sixteen-year-old who had been living a drug-fuelled existence with her boyfriend? Or was it Tom, the mysterious, lonely artist?

As Banks makes his enquiries, it appears that a number of people are acting suspiciously: the interfering 'lock-keeper', Tina's cold-hearted step-father, the wily local art dealer, even Tina's boyfriend . . .

Then the arsonist strikes again, and Banks's powers of investigation are tested to the limit . . .

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18563 in Books
• Published on: 2004-11-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 464 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Playing with Fire is a typical Peter Robinson book. And if that sounds like damning with faint praise, it's anything but. Since Gallows View in 1987, Robinson has been turning out one of the most assured and entertaining series of crime novels in the genre, with his doughty Inspector Alan Banks one of the most solidly drawn of protagonists.

But perhaps the real reason behind the considerable success of the books is that unerring combination of brilliantly turned plots and wonderfully evoked locales: the Yorkshire Dales have proved a very fertile stamping ground for Robinson's irresistible brand of restrained mayhem.

Banks is handed his most piquant problem in Playing with Fire, and the rural backdrop is once again a key player in the action. On a chill winter's morning, a fire is found to have consumed two narrow boats on the Eastvale canal. Banks and his associate DI Annie Cabbot find themselves examining some grisly remnants: charred bodies found on the remains of the two boats. But who are the victims of what appears to be a calculated act of murder? An enigmatic artist with few friends? A young couple who spent most of their time stoned on illegal substances? Banks and Cabbot quickly find themselves with a host of possible perpetrators on their hands, from the father of the young girl who died in the attack to a duplicitous art dealer. But the heat is turned on for Banks--literally--when the murderous arsonist gets to work again.

As in the seminal In a Dry Season, Robinson doesn't shirk from tackling some pretty convoluted plotting, but any confusion the reader is plunged into is very satisfyingly resolved, and Robinson's already strong reputation will grow with this book. --Barry Forshaw

About the Author

Peter Robinson grew up in Yorkshire, and now lives in Canada. PLAYING WITH FIRE is the fourteenth novel in his best-selling Inspector Banks series.

Customer Reviews

A Hot Addition to the Series
In this 14th book of the consistently high quality Inspector Banks series, a case of arson drags Banks and his team out in the middle of the night. It’s soon apparent that among the burning wreckage lie two bodies, so they launch their inquiry as a possible double murder. Then, the pace accelerates when a second arson attack takes place less than 10 miles from the first.

Once again, the very engaging Banks is backed up by his second in command D.I. Annie Cabbot creating a delightful partnership. The characters keep growing and getting more interesting, giving an extra dimension to each successive book. As far as police procedurals go this was another strong addition to an already excellent series. I’ve found reading the Inspector Banks series always captivating and this one was no less so. I found myself sitting up far into the night to finish it.

Playing With Fire, Peter Robinson
Playing with Fire is that rare beast; a Peter Robinson novel that hasn't had its titled bashed about for North American markets, which is rather refreshing. And, of course, considering that title, it is full of fire, destruction, conflagration (physical and emotional) as well a new burning power in the writing itself too, which makes the book possibly Robinson's strongest, most cunning plotted mystery yet, if perhaps not the most "meaningful" or innovative.

It begins, of course, with flame. In the wee hours of a cold January morning (the chill of the climate and atmosphere is a brilliantly effective contrast to the searing fires of the plot) two narrow-boats are found burning on a lonely stretch of a Yorkshire canal. When the fire-fighters have done their work, the investigators move in, and two dead bodies are found in the remains, blackened and burnt. And, of course, in the best traditions of the murder-mystery, traces of accelerant are found.

However, which was the intended victim? Tina, the drugged out young girl living with her boyfriend on one boat, or Tom, the lonely, seemingly reclusive artist who lived on the other? As Robinson's well-seasoned protagonist Chief Inspector Banks sets the investigations in motion, the threads tangle and the case proves to be every bit as complex as it promised at the start. And this particular twisted firestarter is not done yet...

Peter Robinson is remarkable; with every single book for about 6 years, he has been continuing to expand his series, smashing down boundaries, reaching new heights with every single book. While once his reflective Inspector Banks novels were simply nice little procedurals to while away an evening, lately they have become something far more remarkable, and he has moved into the front rank of male crime writers, alongside Ian Rankin and Michael Connelly in writing moving, artful crime novels that shed light on all aspects of human experience. There are so many things to recommend him, not least his evocation of landscape and ability to probe the very human depths of every single characters instinctive motivations. He plots as if he were born to the genre, and his protagonist Banks is a true marvel. Less of a tough-as-nails guy than Bosch or Rebus, Banks is thoughtful, moral, reflective and, dare I say it, not startlingly interesting on the surface (but, of course, therein lies his shining humanity) and in Playing with Fire there are enough personal trials for him to deal with to satisfy any connoisseur of fascinating protagonists. The other human aspects of this book are incredibly well-done; moving and expansive, Robinson reaches out to all his characters, taking them gently by the hand and leading them to the reader, in sometimes shocking ways.

The cracking, multi-faced plot is in itself engaging and clever, with surprises and shifts in tone and pitch that elevate it far above the average, the only thing that lets this novel down is it's slightly annoying solution - though this may well just be down to personal taste. Otherwise, this is a 14th excellent Banks novel from Peter Robinson.

Robinson on top form
This, the 14th novel in Robinson's Inspector Banks series, is a super read. The prose is typically well constructed and flows easily, with clear, evocative descriptions of people and places. The story is set, as usual, near Eastvale in Yorkshire, with DCI Banks, DI Cabbott and team investigating a series of arson attacks. We learn lots about the different characters and suspects - variously feeling sorry for, irritated by and concerned about them. Issues of family relationships, drug abuse, social class and deceit are all explored. As ever, the reader feels closely connected to Banks - though his personal life is rather more thoughtful than active here - perhaps a sign of him getting older and reflecting more on what's happened throughout the years.

A great read and a typical Peter Robinson page-turner.