A Necessary End/Past Reason Hated: Peter Robinson

Two-in-one omnibus. A Necessary End (Inspector Banks III): In formerly peaceful Eastvale, a simmering tension has now reached breaking point. An anti-nuclear demonstration has ended in violence, leaving one policeman stabbed to death. Fired by professional outrage, Superintendent 'Dirty Dick' Burgess descends with vengeful fury on the inhabitants of 'Maggie's Farm', an isolated house high on the daleside. Inspector Alan Banks is uneasy at Burgess' handling of the investigation. But he's been warned off the case and before long he realises that the only way he can salvage his career is by beating Burgess to the killer... Past Reason Hated (Inspector Banks V): It should have been a cosy scene: roaring fire, sheepskin rug, Vivaldi on the stereo, Christmas lights and Christmas tree. But appearances can be deceptive - Caroline Hartley, lying on the couch, had been brutally murdered. Chief Inspector Banks is called to the scene and he soon has more suspects than he would have thought possible. As he delves into her past, he realises that for Caroline, secrecy was a way of life and her death is no different, creating an investigation full of hidden passions and desperate violence.