Even in the small town where Inspector Alan Banks lives, there is conflict. This day is one of those days. There is a demonstration against nuclear power and against allowing more American military in the area. But something goes wrong and after the fighting between demonstrators and police stop, a policeman lies dead.
The policeman was not on of Bank's men but an officer brought in from a neighboring town who volunteered for the overtime. But the police organization feels that the local force shouldn't be in charge of the investigation and sends a DCI from London to oversee it. Banks is not happy with the choice, 'Dirty Dick' Burgess, a man he served with before and with whom he clashed. Burgess is all about the quick solve and using any tactics to get a confession.
The obvious suspects are a group of people who have banded together to live a simple life on a farm. The people there are craftsmen, furniture makers, pottery, art and other creative endeavors. Most of them were at the demonstration along with local students who have formed a Marxist organization at the local college and a thirty-something protester who is dating a woman Banks considers a friend. Burgess homes in immediately at one of the men at the farm as his suspect. His interrogation tactics leave all the suspects even more suspicious of the police and Banks isn't sure that the truth will emerge. Can Banks solve the crime before someone innocent is convicted?
This is the third novel in the Banks series. Robinson portrays an unsophisticated country where farming and crafting are the norm. Yet one thing I love is that when he goes into these country homes, the books he sees laying about are the classics such as Middlemarch. Inspector Banks loves music, all kinds but especially blues and folk and it is a central trait of his to listen as he attempts to figure out the crimes he is faced with. This book is recommended for mystery readers.
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