Past Reason Hated: Early DI Banks Shows Robinson's Skills

Peter Robinson. Past Reason Hated. (1991) Caroline Hartley, a beautiful childlike woman is found stabbed to death, with a recording of Vivaldi’s Laudate Pueri playing on repeat. Banks believes that the answers he needs will be found in her past. Newly promoted Detective Constable Susan Gay, newly married Detective Sergeant Jim Hatchley, the cast of an amateur production of Twelfth Night, (directed by Susan’s former teacher), the dead woman’s lover, a mysterious poet, the dead woman’s dysfunctional family, and other obstacles on the path to enlightenment delay Banks long enough that there’s almost another murder.
      An early Banks, but Robinson’s ability to develop character and ambience make for a satisfyingly long read. My copy was well-used, and will be passed on. Recommended. ***