?Fans of P.D. James and Ruth Rendell . . . should look no further than Peter Robinson.??Washington Post Book World

Chief Inspector Alan Banks knows that secrecy can prove fatal, and secrets were the driving force behind Caroline Hartley's life . . . and death.

She was brutally stabbed in her own home three days prior to Christmas. Leaving her past behind for a forbidden love affair, she mystified more than a few. And now she is dead.

In this season of giving and forgiving, Banks is eager to absolve the innocent of their sins. But that must wait until the dark circle of his investigation finally closes . . . and when a killer makes the next move.

Past Reason Hated is a relentlessly suspenseful novel that shows why Peter Robinson is one of the world's most acclaimed and popular mystery writers.

?Exquisite.? ?USA Today

One of the world's most popular and acclaimed writers, Peter Robinson is the bestselling, 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.