Friend of the Devil, Peter Robinson, Narrator: Simon Prebble

Friend of the Devil
A  Chief Inspector Banks series, book 17
Author: Peter Robinson
Narrator: Simon Prebble

Books on Tape
13 hours, 24 minutes.

Ron Keith Audiobook Narrator

James Langton 

         Narrator

Simon Prebble, Narrator

Peter Robinson's, Inspector Banks series is read by more than one narrator. Simon Prebble, Ron Keith and James Langton are equal in talent, all are outstanding in every way. Mr. Prebble has such a melodious voice which he uses to skillfully bring out every personality while he still captures the sensitive and the horrifying passages. 

The opening lines being read by a master narrator such as Simon Prebble, sounded spooky and foreboding. While the introduction music leads into and then drops back in volume to further emphasize Mr. Prebbles outstanding narration, it will send some shivers up your spine. Simon Prebble smoothly and without any qualms, reads the depraved scenes as smoothly as sliding on ice. Prebble's voice is so warm and reassuring sounding, you just know that it will all work out just fine.

Peter Robinson is an awesome writer, no doubt about it. He knows how to build up tension, fear, and anticipation. He is skilled at turning a sentence or a phrase into a complete scene,  paired with a skilled narrator like Simon Prebble, you have an engrossing, sit on the edge of your seat, page turner. I especially liked the short music lead in's. They sounded haunting and enhanced the overall tone of the book. Friend of the Devil, is an excellent book, read by a truly professional narrator.

Book Review of:  Friend of the Devil, written by Peter Robinson

Author: Peter Robinson  

When Inspector Banks's Ex-lover D.I., Annie Cabbot, awakens with a young twenty something,  lover, in bed next to her, she vaguely remembers a night out of drinking and dancing and doesn't know whether or not to be pleased about it or not. Later when he starts to stalk her, she is decidedly not pleased at all. Her hangover is not improved when she's called in to investigate the murder of a young woman, a paraplegic, found sitting alone at the edge of a cliff, dead in her wheelchair. With head propped up and blood dripping from her slashed throat. Who would slash the throat of a seemingly innocent woman, who can neither move nor speak?

As D.I. Cabbot, delves into her history for clues, she discovers the woman is using an alias and her real name is Lucy Payne, a notorious, and alleged murderess, or, who at least had a hand in the torture and murders her husband had committed. A cage full of angry, bitter people burst to the surface giving Annie Cabbot, more suspects than expected, all who, have good reason to want to see Lucy Payne dead. Although Lucy, participated along with her husband in the torture of many young women, there was never enough proof that she committed any murders. Any crimes against her are dropped, when she is involved in an accident that leaves her a paraplegic.

On the same day, Chief Inspector Alan Banks is called in to investigate the rape and murder of a nineteen year old  college student, Hayley Daniels, whose body is found inside a shop, in the maze. The maze itself is intriguing with it's dilapidated Victorian buildings and winding, narrow streets. It's a popular shortcut to the parking garage, that many of the young people who go out clubbing on the weekends use. At the same time, Inspector Banks is solving the Hayley murder, D.I. Annie Cabbot is working on solving the murder of Lucy Payne.

Their paths intertwine and become involved when the two murders seem to cross paths. While they are unraveling and solving  the cases, another murder is committed, it's one of their own, a fellow policeman. This puts the pressure on Banks and Cabbot to solve the mystery before anyone else is killed. Prebbles's dialog, of the, murdered girls stepmother, sounds so authentic, grief stricken, cracked and with a quivering voice when answering Banks's questions, is so wonderful, and realistic, an award winning performance.

Friend of the Devil,  is a big jump from some of Peter Robinson's first books in this series, which bordered on being a notch or two above cozies. There are scenes of gore and blood, torture and some sex scenarios. All things that I don't listen too, rape, abuse of women, child abuse, you name it, this book covers it. Since I just listened to A Necessary End, book 3, The Hanging Valley, book 4, both seen tame in comparison. Simon Prebble, with his warm, and reassuring voice, made it possible to listen to this particular book.

Friend of the Devil  by Peter Robinson, narrator Simon Prebble