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Peter Robinson

ピーター・ロビンスン

Pītā Robinson

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1950-03-17 （Leeds, England）
Died
2022-10-04 age 72
Nationality
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Residence History
Leeds, England → Canada (moved 1974)

Career

Occupations
novelist, crime writer
Active Years
1987-2022

Education

University of Leeds
Country: United Kingdom
University of York
Country: United Kingdom

Awards

Macavity Award (Short Story)
1998
Work: Two Ladies of Rose Cottage
Category: Short Story
Organization: Mystery Readers International
Result: winner
Anthony Award (Best Novel)
2000
Work: In A Dry Season
Category: Best Novel
Organization: Bouchercon
Result: winner
Barry Award (Best Novel)
2000
Work: In A Dry Season
Category: Best Novel
Organization: Barry Awards
Result: winner
Edgar Award (Short Story)
2001
Work: Missing in Action
Category: Short Story
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: winner
Martin Beck Award
2001
Work: In A Dry Season
Organization: Swedish Crime Writers' Academy
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Gallows View

1987 Crime fiction

First entry in the Inspector Alan Banks series; a murder in a provincial town and its repercussions.

murdersmall-town communitypolice procedure
Translations
  • Gallows View (Japanese translation by Atsuko Koda)

A Dedicated Man

1988 Crime fiction

A follow-up in the Banks series with intertwined personal histories complicating the investigation.

past grievancesinterpersonal relationships
Translations
  • A Dedicated Man (Japanese translation by Atsuko Koda)

A Necessary End

1989 Crime fiction

A Banks novel exploring the inevitability of crime and the choices people make.

choices and consequencesmorality
Translations
  • A Necessary End (Japanese translation by Atsuko Koda)

The Hanging Valley

1989 Crime fiction

A crime novel set in a rural valley, focusing on both the case and the community.

communitysecrets
Translations
  • The Hanging Valley (Japanese translation by Atsuko Koda)

Caedmon's Song

1990 Suspense / Crime fiction

A stand-alone novel focused on personal revenge and trauma with strong psychological elements.

traumarevenge

In A Dry Season

1999 Crime fiction

A major novel in which an old unsolved case resurfaces; one of Robinson's most acclaimed works.

the pastmemorypursuit of truth
Translations
  • In A Dry Season (Japanese translation by Minoo Nono?)

Cold is the Grave

2000 Crime fiction

A Banks novel dealing with disappearance and the shadows of the past.

disappearancehidden pasts
Translations
  • Cold is the Grave (Japanese translation by Minoo Nono?)

Aftermath

2004 Crime fiction

A dramatic novel where the aftermath of past events connects to crimes in the present.

aftermathpast and present
Translations
  • Aftermath (Japanese translation by Minoo Nono?)

Bibliography

  • Gallows View (1987)
  • A Dedicated Man (1988)
  • A Necessary End (1989)
  • The Hanging Valley (1989)
  • Caedmon's Song (1990)
  • In A Dry Season (1999)
  • Cold is the Grave (2000)
  • Aftermath (2004)

Translations of Works

  • Gallows View (Japanese translation by Atsuko Koda)
  • A Dedicated Man (Japanese translation by Atsuko Koda)
  • In A Dry Season (Japanese translation)
  • Cold is the Grave (Japanese translation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
detailed procedural depictionregional/local setting emphasiscrime fiction with psychological depth
Recurring Motifs
hidden pastsmemory of small communitiesthe humanity of Inspector Alan Banks

Legacy

Peter Robinson was a British crime writer best known for the Inspector Alan Banks series. His meticulous treatment of community memory and past crimes earned him international recognition and multiple awards.

Trivia

  • Born March 17, 1950 — died October 4, 2022 (aged 72).
  • Moved to Canada in 1974 and lived there thereafter.
  • Won awards including the Anthony, Barry and Edgar for works such as In A Dry Season.