Description

Chief Inspector Alan Banks finds himself up against a diabolical arsonist in this electrifying novel of suspense from New York Times bestselling author Peter Robinson.

In the early hours of the morning, a man reports a fire on two old canal boats. One of the firefighters notices the use of accelerant at the scene and calls the police, but by the time Inspector Banks arrives, the fire brigade have put out the flames and only the smoldering wreckage remains. A body has been found on each barge, and all the evidence points towards a deliberate arson attack.

One of the victims is Tina, a young girl with a drug addiction and a terrible past who had been living with her boyfriend Mark. The other is Tom, an artist who had been living alone. Now, with little evidence to go on and a number of possible suspects, including Tina's boyfriend, the local 'lock-keeper' who reported the fire, and Tina's own father, Banks must begin to delve into the lives of the victims, and to discover who could have wanted them out of the way forever...

From the master of psychological suspense, Peter Robinson, comes a mind-bending thriller of secrets and murder.

About the Author

One of the world’s most popular and acclaimed writers, Peter Robinson is the best-selling, award-winning author of the DCI Banks series; he has also written two short-story collections and three stand-alone novels, which combined have sold more than ten million copies around the world. Among his many honors and prizes are the Edgar Award, the CWA (UK) Dagger in the Library Award, and the Swedish Crime Writers’ Academy Martin Beck Award.

Praise For…

“So vivid that even those who aren’t usually fans of procedural thrillers will fill their fingers burning.” — People (Critic's Choice)

“[Robinson’s] talents...account for both the quickness of mind that makes Banks such a keen protagonist.” — New York Times Book Review

“Kept us up past our bedtime.” — Boston Globe

“Robinson is not just a master storyteller, he’s a literary magician.” — Montreal Gazette

“Crime fiction at its best.” — Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

“Smooth as single malt.” — Washington Post

“A taut pleasure.” — Daily News

“A tale that’s both satisfyingly traditional in one regard, and thoroughly up-to-date in its setting and psychological insight.” — Orlando Sentinel

“Robinson is on a winning streak.” — Tampa Tribune

“[PLAYING WITH FIRE] has a loud ring of truth and a good deal of suspense.” — Chicago Tribune

“Robinson has won just about every mystery award there is….His latest shows why.” — Booklist (starred review)

“An engaging pleasure…like red wine, [Banks] gets better and more interesting with age.” — Publishers Weekly

The novels of Peter Robinson are: “Deeply nuanced works of art.” — Dennis Lehane

“The Alan Banks mystery-suspense novels are, simply put, the best series now on the market.” — Stephen King

“Stunningly complex and intricately plotted....Peter Robinson fools and entertains me with every twist.” — Nevada Barr

“Complex and intelligent.” — London Sunday Times

“Exquisitely complex and atmospheric.” — Los Angeles Times Book Review

“Taut, carefully thought out…with plots that are refreshingly cliché-free.” — Time Out London

“Cunning…authentic and atmospheric.” — The Independent (London)

“Different and intriguing.” — Sunday Telegraph

Peter Robinson is: “A gifted creator of fully fleshed and vividly present characters.” — Boston Globe

“A happy discovery.” — Lady Antonia Fraser in the London Sunday Times

“A skillful writer…” — Houston Chronicle

“Absorbing…Robinson continues to stretch the boundaries of the standard procedural.” — Orlando Sentinel

“Robinson actually seems to grow in front of our eyes, delivering books of greater complexity each time.” — Otto Penzler

“Splendid.” — San Diego Union-Tribune

“The equal of legends in the genre such as P.D. James and Ruth Rendell.” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch