abrswf's review against another edition
4.0
I read this because Robinson recently published the most recent book in this series, and a newspaper review of it caught my eye and motivated me to tackle the books in order. I enjoyed the Yorkshire setting, because I have good friends in York and we had a wonderful trip to visit them and the area a few years back. The book itself is a decent detective story. It's dated, with some very sexist attitudes on display. I also question Robinson's suggestion that there's something less serious or threatening about voyeurism and sexual assault with a deadly weapon than other offenses. But I'll keep rolling with this series: we've all learned quite a lot since the late 80s when this was published.
soph2962's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
ring01's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
whippycleric's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Having read a few of the more recent books of the series it was nice to go back to the start. I think the side characters have a bit more depth in the later books, but this serves as a very good introduction to the main character. Decent plot lines which all come together in the end. As always with this series, an easy enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
hemloc's review against another edition
4.0
Five reasons to read Gallows View:
1) The setting is described in such a way that it could be its own character. It's integral to the story and comes with a map, which I always appreciate.
2) The story throws readers into the thick of things. It's quick, intelligent, and doesn't waste time explaining everything. It forces readers to keep up and isn't shy with the foreshadowing. There isn't that sense that comes with a lot of crime books of the author trying to pull one over on readers.
3) I liked the explanation of why voyeurism is a violent crime. It's concise, precise, and educated.
4) The police officers are having to deal with multiple crimes at the same time, instead of one big crime. It's unexpectedly realistic, and I really enjoyed that.
5) DCI Banks is an interesting character. I can go from liking him to wanting him slapped in a single scene.
Three drawbacks to Gallows View:
1) Most male authors have the tact to leave it at least a couple of chapters before getting into detailed descriptions of women's breasts – complete with size, weight, and nipple direction. Not Mr Robinson. He does it in the first paragraph and has a disturbing way of describing attractive female characters.
2) Some of the dialogue is stilted, like when DCI Banks and Dr Fuller first talk in the pub. It no longer sounds like the characters and feels as though the author is trying to defend himself. "All right, so I'm a man, guilty, and I can never in a million years fully understand what it's like to be a woman. But I'm not a narrow-minded hypocrite, so don't treat me like one."
3) I'm disappointed we never find out why the street is called Gallows View.
1) The setting is described in such a way that it could be its own character. It's integral to the story and comes with a map, which I always appreciate.
2) The story throws readers into the thick of things. It's quick, intelligent, and doesn't waste time explaining everything. It forces readers to keep up and isn't shy with the foreshadowing. There isn't that sense that comes with a lot of crime books of the author trying to pull one over on readers.
3) I liked the explanation of why voyeurism is a violent crime. It's concise, precise, and educated.
4) The police officers are having to deal with multiple crimes at the same time, instead of one big crime. It's unexpectedly realistic, and I really enjoyed that.
5) DCI Banks is an interesting character. I can go from liking him to wanting him slapped in a single scene.
Three drawbacks to Gallows View:
1) Most male authors have the tact to leave it at least a couple of chapters before getting into detailed descriptions of women's breasts – complete with size, weight, and nipple direction. Not Mr Robinson. He does it in the first paragraph and has a disturbing way of describing attractive female characters.
2) Some of the dialogue is stilted, like when DCI Banks and Dr Fuller first talk in the pub. It no longer sounds like the characters and feels as though the author is trying to defend himself. "All right, so I'm a man, guilty, and I can never in a million years fully understand what it's like to be a woman. But I'm not a narrow-minded hypocrite, so don't treat me like one."
3) I'm disappointed we never find out why the street is called Gallows View.
kbrown5455's review against another edition
4.0
The first of the inspector Alan Banks novels, this started slowly and accelerated to a great ending
raeisareader's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
judyward's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first in the Inspector Alan Banks series which now has 19 books. Alan Banks is a former police officer in London who transfers to Yorkshire seeking a less stressful job and a more peaceful life. However, life in the village of Eastvale turns out to be a micro version of the larger English society. There's peeping Toms, the senseless murder of an elderly woman, teenage boys on an escalating crime spree, and personal turmoils and temptations for Banks. An old-fashioned police procedural that is a wonderful introduction to this series.