Bad Boy

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks faces his most personal case yet when a frantic mother's tip about a hidden weapon in her daughter's bedroom triggers a police raid that goes tragically wrong. The situation becomes devastatingly complicated when Banks discovers his own daughter Tracy has vanished with the gun's true owner, a dangerous young man with violent tendencies. As the investigation unfolds across Yorkshire's familiar terrain, Banks must navigate department politics and procedural constraints while racing against time to find Tracy before she becomes the next victim. The veteran detective finds himself walking a razor's edge between official duty and paternal desperation, willing to bend rules and risk everything for family.

Simon Prebble delivers a masterful performance that captures both the procedural elements and emotional intensity of Robinson's nineteenth Inspector Banks novel. His nuanced portrayal brings depth to Banks' internal struggle, conveying the detective's professional competence alongside his mounting panic as a father. Prebble's steady pacing allows the tension to build naturally while his clear articulation of dialogue makes the large cast of characters easily distinguishable. The audio format enhances the story's immediacy, transforming quiet investigative moments into intimate encounters and making the action sequences feel viscerally urgent. Prebble's authoritative yet empathetic narration perfectly suits Robinson's blend of police procedural and family drama.