Peter Robinson - A dedicated man

In A Dedicated Man, the second novel in Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series, the body of a respected local historian, Harry Steadman, is found brutally murdered near the quiet Yorkshire village of Helmthorpe. Initially, everyone is shocked, as Steadman was considered a thoughtful and well-liked man. Chief Inspector Alan Banks, having moved from London for a more peaceful life, quickly discovers that the seemingly idyllic facade hides disturbing secrets. His investigation reveals a complex web of suspects from Steadman’s past, including a shady land-developer, an editor, a folk singer, and a local thriller writer. As Banks delves deeper, he uncovers that the answer to the crime lies in the victim’s dark and complicated history. The plot thickens with the addition of a young woman, Sally Lumb, who holds vital information but whose interference only puts her in greater danger. The narrative expertly demonstrates that evil can exist even in the most picturesque settings.