DCI Banks Mysteries (abridged)

The body of a well-liked local historian is found half-buried under a wall near the village of Helmthorpe, Swainsdale. Who on earth would want to kill such a thoughtful, dedicated man? Penny Cartwright, a beautiful folk singer with a mysterious past, a shady land-developer, Harry's editor, and a local thriller writer are all suspects, and all are figures from Harry's previous, idyllic summers in the dale. A young girl, Sally Lumb, knows more than she lets on, and her knowledge could lead to danger.

During a blistering summer, drought has depleted the precious resources of Thornfield Reservoir, uncovering the remains of a small village called Hobb's End: hidden from view for over 40 years. For a curious young boy this resurfaced hamlet has become a magical playground...until he unearths a human skeleton.

Detective Inspector Alan Banks relationship with Chief Constable Riddle has always been strained. So Banks is more than a little surprised when Riddle summons him late one night and begs for his help. For Riddle, Banks' new case is terrifyingly close to home. Six months ago, his 16-year-old daughter ran away to London, where she has fallen into a turbulent world of drugs and pornography. With his reputation threatened, Riddle wants Banks to use his unorthodox methods to find her without fuss.

Thirty-five The Hill is an ordinary house in an ordinary street, owned by an apparently ordinary young couple. But it is about to become infamous. For when Police Constables Janet Taylor and Dennis Morrisey are sent to the house following a report of a domestic disturbance, they stumble upon a truly horrific scene - a scene which leaves one of them dead and the other fighting for her life and career.

When he receives a mysterious and disturbing telephone call from his brother, Roy, Inspector Alan Banks heads off to London to search him out. Meanwhile, DI Annie Cabbot is called to a murder scene on a quiet stretch of road just outside Eastvale. A young woman has been found dead in her car, with Banks' name and address written on a slip of paper in the back pocket of her jeans.