Title:	A Necessary End
	Author:	Peter Robinson
	Published:	1989, Avon Books
	No. of Pages:	340
	Cover Price:	$7.99 US

---

Alan Banks, Chief Inspector of Eastvale CID, is back, and is investigating the death of a policeman during a demonstration outside of the Eastvale Community Center. Unfortunately, he is teamed up with a very disagreeable policeman, Dirty Dick Burgess, who is strong-armed and just plain unpleasant, offending and upsetting everyone he talks to or is around. Suspicion for the murder lays heavy on the residents of Maggie’s Farm, where ex-hippies reside, as well as others who have had prior arrests. Seth, the owner of the farm is a cabinet maker and responsible citizen who has lived with Mara at the farm for several years. Mara is happy staying home, tending the children, and preparing meals. Rick also lives at Maggie’s Farm and is an artist; he has just gone through an ugly divorce and his child lives there at the farm with him. Paul Boyd is a major suspect, since he has been in trouble before, is a newcomer to the area, and although he attended the demonstration, was not arrested like the others, but instead came home in a hurry, and Mara noticed he had blood stains on his hands as he arrived home.

During the course of the murder investigation, Banks learns that the murdered policeman, PC Gill, had a reputation among his colleagues for volunteering to work at demonstrations and other events where violent behavior is expected; he seemed to thrive on causing trouble, harassing demonstrators, and instigating violence at these events. Mara has noticed that a flick-knife that had been sitting on the mantelpiece in the house is now missing, and it has just been found by the police with Paul Boyd’s fingerprints; Dirty Dick wants to arrest him and close the case without further investigation. Other suspects include Dennis Osmond, the boyfriend of Jenny Fuller (a reoccurring character) and friend of Banks, as well as some college students who have had run-ins with Gill, and Zoe, who is a fortune teller and resides at Maggie’s farm.

Suspense is palpable throughout the entire novel, as is typical of Peter Robinson. The delightful English atmosphere adds to the charm of the novel, as well as Robinson’s excellent characterizations. Banks is always on the verge of losing his job, and is in some parts, in danger himself. At any given time during the novel, readers will suspect one of the characters, but in the end, it is a total surprise. Unfortunately, Dirty Dick always gets away with his unethical behaviors, and it is disappointing that he is never disciplined.

It should be no surprise to readers why Robinson is one of the world’s most popular thriller writers; most years, his novels are in the list of the top 10 bestselling thriller novels. Banks is a likeable character, and, albeit the fact that some of the bad guys don’t get their just dues, this novel is highly recommended for thriller readers everywhere.

This book was purchased with personal funds and no promotion of the book was solicited by the author or publisher.

This book may be purchased at Amazon: A Necessary End (Inspector Banks, No.3)