I may be assuming too much, but NOT DARK YET seems to be the run-up to the conclusion of Peter Robinson’s series featuring Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks of the Eastvale, Yorkshire police force. Robinson has depicted Banks’ aging naturally (for the most part), so this latest installment finds the iconic protagonist somewhat faded, if not weary, as the world around him moves ahead with him. As a result, this book --- the 27th entry in the series --- marks a number of personal passages for Banks, as well as the resolution of a couple of professional cases that have formed an extended story arc over several prior novels.

NOT DARK YET is primarily and unsurprisingly driven by a murder investigation. The deceased, Connor Clive Blaydon, is a shady real estate developer with a penchant for holding wild parties with his even shadier friends in attendance. An initial search of the premises reveals that someone --- Connor’s righthand man, no less --- had strategically placed concealed video cameras in certain areas of his home, including the bedrooms, undoubtedly for blackmail purposes.

"Robinson’s continued ability to reveal a mystery and a solution where you least expect it should make fans hopeful that this series will carry on for a while."

The case takes a horrific turn when a review of the video files determines that a rape took place. Banks is tasked with finding Connor’s killer, as well as identifying the rape victim, who might have been motivated to murder him herself. He does not realize that an assailant is much closer to him and his team than they can possibly suspect. There are a number of twists and turns in the investigation, one of which intersects with Banks’ past and a longstanding nemesis of his.

Meanwhile, Banks cannot bury himself in his work and ignore developments on the home front. His son, who has been part of an extremely popular rock band, is doing a farewell tour, while his daughter is getting married. These events cause Banks to take a couple of wistful strolls down memory lane, generating some woolgathering over those he has loved and lost, even as he seems to realize that he is simply unfit for romantic relationships and is better off without them. Banks also says goodbye to one, possibly two, recurring characters, though many are left standing by the story’s satisfying end.

The book’s title may indicate that Robinson is not through with DCI Banks just yet. Longtime readers of the series will happily note that this installment, as well as those that have preceded it, is full of references to musicians and albums both obscure and nearly forgotten, forming a soundtrack for reading in the present and contemplating in the future. That Banks ultimately approves of his daughter’s new husband as the result of his musical taste made NOT DARK YET worth reading almost by itself. Robinson’s continued ability to reveal a mystery and a solution where you least expect it should make fans hopeful that this series will carry on for a while.