In 1969, reggae artist Jimmy Cliff penned "Many Rivers to Cross," one of the best and most beautiful songs of his career. It was so popular that it birthed countless remakes, most notably by John Lennon and UB40.

Those who have heard the song will fondly recall the haunted longing of the lyrics: “I've got many rivers to cross, but I can't seem to find my way over.” I’m sure Detective Superintendent Alan Banks is familiar with this tune as his musical tastes run the gamut from jazz to classic rock. In fact, one of the best things about any Peter Robinson novel featuring Banks is finding out what he is listening to.

"MANY RIVERS TO CROSS proves to be another taut and well-plotted novel in a series that finds me agreeing with Stephen King as being one of the best in the business."

The rivers that were crossed in this book may refer to those that brought a young Middle Eastern boy to London. Regrettably, Samir --- later found to be Samir Boulad from Syria --- could not have envisioned the horrors that would await him in his new home, which dwarfed those he experienced in his homeland. Samir was stabbed to death and stuffed in a wheelbarrow on the wealthy East Side Estate. The dichotomy of this horrid picture not only defines the separation of classes involved in it, but also begins another head-scratcher of a case for Banks and his team to dive into.

It was Edith Grunwell who discovered the body and immediately phoned it in. She is so insulated from children like Samir that she flippantly refers to him as a “darkie,” seeing no issue with using offensive street-slang to describe those of Middle Eastern heritage. She knows of no one who could have committed such an evil deed. Banks is convinced that this is just the start of something far greater.

Readers get to enjoy a parallel narrative featuring a young woman named Zelda. She is known to Banks, but the comparisons end there. Zelda is clearly a vigilante with her own agenda, one that will see her cut her way through those who have wronged her. The next body that turns up is that of a nameless, dead junkie, who is found in a flat that can be traced back to notorious local baddies Connor Clive Blaydon and the vicious Kerrigan brothers. With Zelda acting outside of the law and Banks trying his best to remain within its confines, their two fates will meet briefly, and the results will carry the expected fireworks.

Along with the great musical references that are constantly sprinkled in whenever Banks and some vinyl records get together, MANY RIVERS TO CROSS proves to be another taut and well-plotted novel in a series that finds me agreeing with Stephen King as being one of the best in the business.