Abattoir Blues cover art

Abattoir Blues

The 22nd DCI Banks novel from The Master of the Police Procedural

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Abattoir Blues

By: Peter Robinson
Narrated by: Simon Slater
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About this listen

 The twenty-second novel in Number One bestselling author Peter Robinson's critically acclaimed DCI Banks series.

When two boys vanish under mysterious circumstances, the local community is filled with unease. And when a caravan belonging to one of the youths is burned to the ground, and a bloodstain is discovered in a disused World War Two hangar nearby, things quickly become much more sinister.

Assigned to the case, DCI Banks and his team are baffled by the mystery laid out before them. But when a motor accident throws up a gruesome discovery, the investigation spins into a higher gear - and in another direction. As Banks and his team struggle desperately to find the missing boy who holds the key to the puzzle, they find themselves in a race against time where it's their turn to become the prey . . .

(P)2014 Hodder & Stoughton©2014 Eastvale Enterprises Inc. Crime Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Crime Banking

Critic reviews

Classic Robinson: labyrinthine plot merged with deft characterisation
Peter Robinson deserves a place near, perhaps even at the top of, the British crime writers' league
A real page-turner that confirms Robinson as a master of crime fiction
As always with the excellent DCI Alan Banks novels, you can expect the story to grip you from beginning to end
[Peter Robinson deserves a place] near, perhaps even at the top of, the British crime writers' league
It's neither the setting nor even the characters that makes Robinson's work so satisfying, but the plotting of Swiss-watch precision
Classic Robinson: labyrinthine plot merged with deft characterisation
As always with the excellent DCI Alan Banks novels, you can expect the story to grip you from beginning to end.
A real page-turner that confirms Robinson as a master of crime fiction.
All stars
Most relevant

If you could sum up Abattoir Blues in three words, what would they be?

Banks needs Annie!

What other book might you compare Abattoir Blues to, and why?

All the other banks books....

Did Simon Slater do a good job differentiating each of the characters? How?

Hmmm, good question - Joanna McDonald had a scots accent in the book where she goes to Tallin with Banks - seems to have lost it with her married name? I guess he does need to make Winsome sound "black" but it always sounds a little bit OTT. Being picky I know - overall I do like the way he reads these books - I like them and I expect to hear Simon Slater

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

What's a tag line?

Any additional comments?

The bits where information is given to characters over the phone are difficult to hear properly when in the car - I listen to my books when driving 50m home from work so this is a bit annoying - not much you can do about it, just thought I would say

Good story but not for vegetarians

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Listening to this was a delight, great characterisation and plotting, humorous and intelligent writing. Peter Robinson goes back to basics in this book, using the interplay of the Dales landscape and plot to great effect. The story begins with a fairly innocuous rural crime but builds steadily into an utterly gripping thriller.
The usual suspects all return to form in this novel, Banks, Annie, Dirty Dick and my favourite Winsome. I thought the last couple of outings for Bank were a bit tired but this one restored my faith.
The narrator was also very good, delivering a range of different voices with great skill.

Back to top form for Inspector Banks

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Would you try another book written by Peter Robinson or narrated by Simon Slater?

Yes but not simon slater as narrator

Who was your favorite character and why?

Annie down to earth

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Simon Slater?

Neil Pearson

Did Abattoir Blues inspire you to do anything?

Yes write this review

Any additional comments?

Peter Robinson always very good but not simon slater as narrator made it sound dull

Good story very poor narration

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Twisting, intriguing plot. Enjoyable character development of Banks’s team. All brought vividly to life by Simon Slater.

Classic Banks

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I love the reader, his voice and performance,

I know I haven’t read this book in the right order, but it was accessible. I found it a little hard to keep up with who was who!

It was a really enjoyable listen and sometimes that is all that you want!

After Two Study Books, I Needed This!

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