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Before the Poison
 
 
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Before the Poison [Kindle Edition]

Peter Robinson (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (160 customer reviews)
Print List Price: £7.99
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Product Description

Review

Praise for Peter Robinson (:)

'Peter Robinson has for too long, and unfairly, been in the shadow of Ian Rankin; perhaps PIECE OF MY HEART, the latest in the Chief Inspector Banks series, will give him the status he deserves, near, perhaps even at the top of, the British crime writers' league' (Marcel Berlins, The Times)

'Brilliant! . . . Gut-wrenching plotting, alongside heart-wrenching portraits of the characters who populate his world, not to mention the top-notch police procedure.' (Jeffery Deaver)

A police procedural that grips like pliers (Independent on Sunday)

Book Description

An atmospheric and suspenseful standalone novel - a Number One bestseller in hardcover - by the author of the DCI Banks crime novels.
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Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 620 KB
  • Print Length: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Hodder (18 Aug 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B005GQ6E6W
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray:
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (160 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #479 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Peter Robinson Page
Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson - leading author of British crime books. Peter grew up in Yorkshire and now divides his time between Richmond, North Yorkshire and Toronto, Canada. He is the bestselling crime writer of the critically acclaimed DCI Banks series of detective books, featuring Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks. Peter's novels have won numerous awards in Britain, the United States, Canada and Europe, and are published in translation all over the world.

In the latest in his series of detective books, WATCHING THE DARK, DCI Banks investigates the death of a fellow officer. Could an English girl who disappeared in Estonia six years ago hold the secret at the heart of this case?

WATCHING THE DARK is the 20th in a series of crime fiction novels about DCI Banks. The TV crime series DCI Banks is in its second series.

For all fans of quality crime fiction novels, more information, news and features about both Peter Robinson and the DCI Banks crime books are available at:

Official Website: http://www.inspectorbanks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peterrobinsonauthor

'If you haven't encountered Chief Inspector Alan Banks before, prepare for a crash course in taut, clean writing and subtle psychology.' Ian Rankin, leading British crime writer

'[Peter Robinson deserves a place] near, perhaps even at the top of, the British crime writers' league' The Times

'Banks is one of the most fully drawn figures in this genre of fiction' New York Times

If you have enjoyed the author Lee Child, any of Mark Billingham's books or the crime writer Peter James' novels, then try bestselling crime author Peter Robinson, whether you read his books in order or dive in at his latest, WATCHING THE DARK.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Not Robinson's strongest 10 Oct 2011
By Harry Coe Bean
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought the Kindle edition of this based on my reading over the years of most of Robinson's Alan Banks stories. The basic plot of the novel is not particularly original; someone buys an empty old house, finds out that evil deeds were done there in the past, believes the wrong person was found guilty, carries out own investigation and hey-ho you have a mystery novel with plenty of ending options. For the benchmark example of how to make this type of plot work best I would suggest Colin Dexter's "The Wench is dead" is a good as any and better than most.
For me the novel plods a bit initially and didn't seem to come alive until we start to read extracts from Grace's [somewhat far-fetched] diary, written during the Second World War and detailing her experiences, both in the far east and in Normandy in the time immediately post D-Day.
But my major gripe is that the twists and turns in the plot became more and more predictable as I neared the end of the book. I was waiting for that final plot twist at the end and it just wasn't there. Sorry, Mr Robinson, I'm a genuine fan of yours, but this one seems more like a tummy-filler than a memorable meal!
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31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and atmospheric 20 Jan 2012
By Warnie Wombat
Format:Hardcover
Before the Poison is one of those books that grips you from the very first page and never lets go with an encapsulating fluidity that you come to expect from Peter Robinson - certainly from my experience! Immediately transported back to April 1953 we follow the final 15 painful seconds of Grace Fox's life as she walks to the gallows, her dignity intact, following her conviction for the murder of her husband Dr Ernest Fox earlier that year.

Once at the gallows, she was placed in position over the chalked "T" on the trapdoor, and the assistant pinioned her ankles with a leather strap. Mr. Pierrepoint took from his pocket a white cotton hood, which he placed over Grace's head, then he carefully and gently adjusted the leather-sheathed noose around her neck. When all was to his satisfaction, he stepped back, removed the safety pin and pushed the lever away from him in one sharp, swift motion. The trapdoor opened and Grace fell to her death.

There's something mystical about this book, something I can't quite put my finger on but the house, the surrounds, the back story and Chris Lowndes all combine to deliver a breathtaking narrative that is overwhelmingly captivating. When Robinson first introduced Kilnsgate House - Yorkshire - it didn't take long before I was swept up in the romanticism and began to ponder if a hostile takeover was possible. I wanted Lowndes out of the house and I wanted to move in - at any cost! Moving from room to room as our protagonist explores his new surroundings I imagined lighting a log fire, cooking in the kitchen and sitting down to compose a piano sonata on the grand piano. It's quite frightening the hold Robinson's narrative had over me and I honestly began to believe the house existed and it was well within my grasp. Powerful stuff! Read more ›
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Not his best 22 Nov 2011
By N. J. Littlewood
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I will start by saying that I am an avid Peter Robinson fan, and have read all of his DCI Banks books and his short stories, and loved every one (even Badboy!).
I too didn't realise this wasn't a Banks story until at least half way through, by which point it seemed unlikely he was going to make an appearance.
what is missing in this book are the pen-pictures; I felt like I knew Banks, I had a perfect picture in my head of what he was like (nothing like he was in the TV series I might add), what his colleagues were like etc, due to Robinson's descriptive writng style- I even down loaded some of the music mentioned in his books!
It doesn't seem to happen in this book, the characters aren't developed as well and I didn't feel them at all. I can't even remember the lead characters name. Yorkshire however, is, as always eloquentley and passionately discribed and makes me want to live there.
Also, I could finish a Banks book in a couple of days, this took me weeks as it's much more 'put-downable'.

A good enough book, but nowhere near his best
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars before the poison 7 Nov 2011
By sally b
Format:Hardcover
well done peter robinson not a banks novel but i think even better you will not be disappointed if you get this book i like the characters but better still nice that yorkshire is in you noval so well done peter robinson cannot wait to see what next ?
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27 of 30 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Better without Banks. 5 Sep 2011
By richard Brown
Format:Hardcover
Last year I reviewed 'Bad Boy' and gave it one star. I thought it a tired and predictable read. Now Peter Robinson has given DCI Banks a rest and has written his best book for years.

'Before the Poison' has an evocative atmosphere. The characters and locations are brought convincingly to life as the story unfolds.
I was reminded a little of Robert Goddard's past work and a passing (slight) simalarity to his novel 'Set in Stone'. Robinson's book is more a novel than a mystery thriller and even though there are some twists, there is not the threat of danger lurking in the wings ala Goddard. This does not in any way diminish the novel though, as it is an engrossing and superbly written story.

I do hope that the success of this book spurs Peter Robinson on to write more 'stand alone' novels in the future.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Oh dear 10 Feb 2012
By chimera
Format:Hardcover
I really enjoy Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks stories(with the exception of Bad Boy) but this was a great disappointment. The writing was dull and the story formulaic and predictable.All the characters speak in the same monotone and I didn't care about any of them.I didn't even really enjoy the descriptive passages which Peter Robinson usually does so well. Grace's journal was a totally unbelievable conceit.It feels like he has run out of steam.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Book
Exactly what I needed to replace damaged library book.Ideal place to purchase.will definately be using again.What more can I say.
Published 2 days ago by Mr Fred Moss
5.0 out of 5 stars A real page turner!
I haven't quite got to the end of this yet. But I couldn't wait to rate it as its one of the best books I've read lately. Read more
Published 19 days ago by MRS A C HARE
4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely constructed
An original idea which blends the stories of Chris and Grace rather well. One or two slightly off-key devices for moving the plot along don't spoil the overall enjoyment of the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Unknown
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
Another reliable fantastic Peter Robinson read. Maybe not as good as some of the series, but a great book nonetheless.
Published 1 month ago by Anne-Marie Pomfrett
5.0 out of 5 stars His very besrt
I really enjoyed this book a departure from Inspector Banks and very much in the Robert Goddard type of story, Very well written and I would hope he comes up with others in this... Read more
Published 2 months ago by kentdougal
5.0 out of 5 stars good read
I have read all the books in this series and enjoyed them all - sit down, read, enjoy, order the next one.
Published 3 months ago by Ms. Patricia Conaty
1.0 out of 5 stars Not DCI Banks!
I bought this as I assumed that it was the follow up to Bad Boy - I really should pay more attention when ordering! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mo
5.0 out of 5 stars good read....somewhat different style to banks
Having read the banks series, and enjoying them, I read this book. Thoroughly readable and similar in style to Robert Goddard, it filled in the gaps between Xmas and new year.
Published 3 months ago by Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Another triumph for Peter Robinson
An interesting story that falls outside Peter's usual series of DCI Banks, a gripping stand alone
book that dips in and out of history to find out exactly what happened during... Read more
Published 4 months ago by M Richardson
5.0 out of 5 stars Before the poison
I have only read Peter Robinsons DCI Banks books. This is the first book other than these I have rea.
It is very good and a compelling read. Read more
Published 4 months ago by DavidH
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