[4] Robinson studied English literature at the University of Leeds, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with honours.

[3] He then emigrated to Canada in 1974 to continue his studies, obtaining a Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing from the University of Windsor, with Joyce Carol Oates as his tutor.

[3][6] It garnered him the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award, which he went on to win six more times during his career.

[7] He also wrote two collections of short stories – Not Safe After Dark (1998) and The Price of Love (2009) – as well as another novel, Caedmon's Song, released in 1990.

[5] A former member of the London Metropolitan Police, Inspector Alan Banks leaves the capital for a quieter life in the Dales.