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kathydavie's review against another edition
Makes me think of a younger Inspector Morse but has better luck with the ladies. Takes place in contemporary Edinburgh. Amazing how crime and the fighting of it is the same no matter where you are.
flashrock's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
goflya61's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
samterroni's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
vera_cologne's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first in the Inspector John Rebus mystery series. Edinburgh is plagued by a series of kidnapping/killings of young girls, and Rebus is on the investigative team. When he realizes that the anonymous messages he’s been receiving coincide with the kidnappings, he is forced to consider that he may have a personal connection to this killer.
Rankin writes a fast-paced thriller with several twists and turns in the plot. Rebus is a complicated character, turning to alcohol to lessen the pain of his past experiences, including a failed marriage, but still clearly an intelligent and resourceful detective. His former work as a member of Britain’s elite SAS adds a certain mystique to his background. A subplot involving his brother, Michael, and an investigative reporter, Jim Stevens, adds both tension and a distraction from the killings. Makes me wonder if these characters will also appear in later books.
I’ll definitely read more of this series.
Rankin writes a fast-paced thriller with several twists and turns in the plot. Rebus is a complicated character, turning to alcohol to lessen the pain of his past experiences, including a failed marriage, but still clearly an intelligent and resourceful detective. His former work as a member of Britain’s elite SAS adds a certain mystique to his background. A subplot involving his brother, Michael, and an investigative reporter, Jim Stevens, adds both tension and a distraction from the killings. Makes me wonder if these characters will also appear in later books.
I’ll definitely read more of this series.
lizruest's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
howtobebooks's review against another edition
3.0
From the outset it was completely obvious who was responsible for the murders and abductions and yet it took the entire novel for the detective to figure it out. I became rather frustrated with the character's various flaws which stopped him from solving the murder. I was told Ian Rankin has a good reputation for writing thrillers so slightly disappointed overall.