In a Dry Season

Detective Alan Banks investigates a decades-old murder when a drought reveals the ruins of Hobb's End, a Yorkshire village submerged beneath a reservoir in the 1950s. The skeletal remains of a young woman are discovered in one of the exposed buildings, launching parallel investigations in both the present day and World War II-era Yorkshire. Banks partners with Detective Annie Cabbot to uncover the victim's identity and piece together life in wartime Hobb's End through interviews and historical records. The investigation brings them into contact with elderly residents who lived in the village during the war, each holding fragments of the truth about what occurred. The novel alternates between Banks's modern investigation and vivid scenes from 1940s Hobb's End, depicting the tensions and relationships in a small village transformed by wartime. The structure creates a compelling interplay between past and present as the two timelines gradually converge. The story explores themes of memory, justice, and how the past reverberates through time, while examining how war affects the social fabric of small communities. Robinson's portrayal of both time periods raises questions about moral choices in extraordinary circumstances.

Readers found the parallel storylines between past and present crimes compelling, with the 1940s wartime setting adding historical depth. The slow reveal of both mysteries kept readers engaged through the book's length. What readers liked: - Complex character development of Inspector Banks - Detailed portrayal of Yorkshire village life - Historical accuracy of WWII period details - Emotional impact of dual narratives What readers disliked: - Pacing in first third described as slow - Some found the length (432 pages) excessive - Multiple timeline shifts confused certain readers - Too much detail about Banks' personal life Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (8,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (560+ ratings) Common reader comments highlight the "atmospheric Yorkshire setting" and "richly developed secondary characters." Several reviewers noted feeling invested in both time periods' investigations. Critical reviews mainly focused on the "meandering start" before the core mystery gains momentum.

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🔍 The real-life flooding of Semer Water in Yorkshire during the 1950s partly inspired the novel's drowned village storyline. 📚 Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series has grown to 27 books, with "In a Dry Season" being the tenth installment, published in 1999. ⭐ The book won the Anthony Award and was nominated for the Edgar Award, marking a high point in Robinson's career. 🏰 During World War II, Yorkshire hosted numerous RAF airfields and training bases, which influenced the wartime aspects of the novel's setting. 💫 Robinson wrote much of the book while teaching creative writing at the University of Toronto, despite the story being set in his native Yorkshire.