The Summer that Never Was is a crime/mystery story by Canadian – English author Peter Robinson.   There are 28 books (1987 – 2023) in the Inspector Banks series and there were 5 seasons of adaptations (32 episodes), most still available for streaming.    All are set in Yorkshire and the books fit best into procedural detective (crime) category.

In this book, a body is discovered and forensic evidence matches it to a 14 year old boy (Graham) who went missing and no trace was ever found.     Graham was a close friend of Alan Banks, so DI Banks takes a close interest, even though it is out of his jurisdiction.     There are many secrets and there was a cover-up, so Banks has to “navigate in hostile waters.”     At about the same time, another boy is missing, an apparent kidnapping, but DI Annie Cabbot is skeptical and follows faint clues that may point to another cover-up.     Much of the book follows the investigations of three detectives, uncovering layers of secrets of the family members, the boys themselves, and persons of interest, some criminals, and some small town residents who knew the boys.     It is about 400 pages, and some of the chapters plod along, but the ending is satisfying.

All of the Banks books are well-written, with developed characters, layers of complex connections, and a strong sense of place.      Some reading patience is needed at times, but the author delivers a strong narrative throughout.     This is not the best of the series.    Gallows View, Piece of my Heart, and Cold is the Grave are better.    But Peter Robinson’s books are all a cut above many of the others, including this book.     Recommended 4.2 out of 5.0 stars4.2