"An exceptional series."--Washington Post

A peaceful demonstration in the town of Eastvale ends with fifty arrests--and the brutal stabbing death of a young constable. But Chief Inspector Alan Banks fears there is worse violence to come. For CID Superintendent Richard Burgess has arrived from London to take charge of the investigation, fueled by professional outrage and volatile, long-simmering hatreds.

Crossing Burgess could cost the Chief Inspector his career. But the killing of a flawed Eastvale policeman is not the only murder that needs to be solved here. And if Banks doesn't unmask the true assassin, his superior's misguided obsession might well result in further bloodshed.

A masterful novel of suspense, A Necessary End demonstrates how our weaknesses can lead to deadly consequences.

"A rich, multi-layered book, elegantly written and carefully plotted."--Virginian Pilot and Ledger-Star

"Watch out for those twists--they'll get you every time."--Ian Rankin

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.