Peter Robinson: Wednesday's Child (UK 2019)

From the Publisher:
Wednesday's Child is the sixth novel in Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series, following on from Past Reason Hated.

When two social workers, investigating reports of child abuse, appear at Brenda Scupham's door, her fear of authority leads her to comply meekly with their requests. Even when they say that they must take her seven-year old daughter Gemma away for tests...

It is only when they fail to return Gemma the following day that Brenda realizes something has gone terribly wrong.

At the same time, Banks is investigating a particularly unpleasant murder at the site of an abandoned mine. Gradually, the leads in the two cases converge, guiding Banks to one of the most truly terrifying criminals he will ever meet...

Peter Robinson: Wednesday's Child. An DCI Banks Novel. Pan, ISBN: 9781509859108 (December, 2018), 352 p., £8.99.

Peter Robinson: Wednesday's Child (USA 2016)

From the Publisher:
In New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author Peter Robinson's heart-racing tale of suspense the case of a missing child is inextricably linked to that of the murder of a young man, sending Chief Inspector Alan Banks down a harrowing road to uncover the truth behind the crimes.

It was a crime of staggering inhumanity: a seven-year-old girl taken from her working class Yorkshire home by an attractive young couple posing as social workers. Chief Inspector Alan Banks feels certain little Gemma Scupham is dead, yet the motive for her kidnapping remains a mystery. No ransom is ever demanded, nor could Gemma's tortured, guilt-ridden mother afford to pay one.

And when the body of a young man is discovered in an abandoned mine, slain in a particularly brutal fashion, a disturbing perplexing case takes an even further sinister twist drawing Banks into the sordid depths of an evil more terrible and terrifying than anything the seasoned investigator has ever encountered.

Utterly suspenseful and compelling, Wednesday's Child will leave readers guessing and on the edge of their seats.

Peter Robinson: Wednesday's Child. An Inspector Banks Novel. William Morrow Paperbacks, ISBN: 9780062431189 (March, 2016), 322 p., $14.99.

Peter Robinson: Wednesday's Child (USA 2002)

From the Publisher:
It was a crime of staggering inhumanity: a seven-year-old girl taken from her working class Yorkshire home by an attractive young couple posing as social workers. Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks feels certain little Gemma Scupham is dead, yet the motive for her kidnapping remains a mystery. No ransom is ever demanded, nor could Gemma's tortured, guilt-ridden mother afford to pay one. And when the body of a young man is discovered in an abandoned mine, slain in a particularly brutal fashion, a disturbing, perplexing case takes an even more sinister twist - drawing Banks into the sordid depths of an evil more terrible and terrifying than anything the seasoned investigator has ever encountered.

Peter Robinson: Wednesday's Child. Avon Books; ISBN: 0380820498 (April, 2002), 322 p., $7.50.

Peter Robinson: Wednesday's Child (UK 1996)

From the Publisher:
When two polite and well-dressed social workers appear at Brenda Scupham's door claiming to investigate reports of child abuse, Brenda makes every effort to be cooperative. Her feelings of maternal inadequacy and her fear of authority lead her to comply with their requests concerning her seven-year-old daughter Gemma. Even when they say that they must take Gemma overnight for tests, Brenda quickly agrees. It is only when they fail to return Gamma the following afternoon that Brenda realises something has gone terribly, unthinkably wrong.

Why would anyone want to abduct Gemma Scupham? Obviously she's not a ransom candidate, since she and her mother live in sordid circumstances and poverty. As days go by with no sign of the child, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks and Detective Superintendent Grishorpe begin to lose hope of finding her alive. There have been numerous cases of child abductions throughout England, motivated by sexual deviancy or even Satanic sacrifices. Grishorpe is particularly concerned that there are two abductors, a man and a woman. What kind of couple would kidnap and quite possibly murder an innocent child? The desire to solve the Gemma Scupham case turns into a passionate commitment.

Peter Robinson: Wednesday's Child. Constable, ISBN: 0094756902 (April, 1996), 240 p., £14.99.