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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
The most ambitious of the Rebus books so far in terms of narrative. It's a bit structurally weak in a few spots, but overall it makes for the most satisfying novel thus far, if not quite the most satisfying mystery. For me, Strip Jack has the most interesting plot of the series. But, for the memorable cast of characters -- including the introduction of Siobhan Clarke -- and the deft development of Rebus's character, this one's the best so far.
I felt like Rebus started to come alive as a character in this book much more than in the previous four books in this long-running series. The mystery part of this book was action-packed but also had so many different pieces and different threads that the author couldn't quite keep it together. I really enjoyed the Edinburgh setting and felt like there was some authentic Scottish slang happening in the story. I'll definitely keep making my way slowly through the Rebus novels.
The narrator for the audiobook did a fine job with this one. I find mysteries often translate well to audio format, but this one wasn't the best because of the number of plot threads. I'd recommend reading this installment instead of listening.
The narrator for the audiobook did a fine job with this one. I find mysteries often translate well to audio format, but this one wasn't the best because of the number of plot threads. I'd recommend reading this installment instead of listening.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rankin broke out of his formula nicely and I am thoroughly enjoying Mr. Rebus now.
For me reading an Ian Rankin book is like polishing off a candy bar. You can't stop at just a couple of bites. So this 340 page paperback didn't take long for me to finish. This is one of the older ones. It dates from the 1993 with no cell phones and computers in use but only at your desk. When a young member of Rebus's team, Brian Holmes, is assaulted at a restaurant with an Elvis theme, The Heartbreak Cafe, everyone is mystified as to why this would happen. Brian had been living with a young librarian, Nell, but they had recently broken up. Nell tells Rebus about Brian's black notebook that features an old crime that Brian has been looking at on his own. As with all of Rankin's books, this has too many twists and turns to recount here. Let's just say that a lot of great things happen here, there's more than a touch of that Tartan noir and humor that Rankin is so famous for, and that there is, as always, a surprise at the end.
Not asstrong as Black and Blue but undeniably well written. Gritty stories of the back world of Edinburgh.
Morris Cafferty makes his first proper appearance and so too does another main character, DC Siobhan Clarke
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No