Watching The Dark by Peter Robinson

DCI Alan Banks finds himself with a new case as one of his staff, Annie, is about to return from time away due to an injury she received on another case.  In this new one, a DI is found murdered at a rehabilitation clinic reserved for members of the police.  That means this one is personal as it is one of their own.

But things are not that clear cut.  DI Bill Reid had a reputation as a good officer but when the team goes through his belongings, they find pictures that suggest he might have been blackmailed.  That means the Professional Standards team is involved and Banks is given a new team member from that area for his team.  He is not enthusiastic about working with Standards and his relationship with the new team member is iffy.

As the case progresses, another nagging piece is uncovered.  Reid was involved in one of the most famous cold cases in the area.  Six years before, a young woman who went to Estonia on a prenuptial party weekend, disappeared.  She got separated from her other friends and never made it back to the hotel.  Her parents have never given up and are still hoping for answers.  Did Reid have some of those answers and can Banks find out what happened?

This is the twentieth novel in the DCI Alan Banks series.  Banks is displayed with all his faults here; his determination to follow his own clues and work on what he thinks happened rather than what might be assigned as the next steps; his distrust of those outside his familiar team and his willingness to be casually cruel and unfriendly to the new member of the team.  Yet his strengths are also displayed with his determination and resourcefulness high on the list.  This book is recommended for mystery readers.