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winterreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
5.0
It is a melancholy day today. Coming to the end of a beloved series is so sad. I have enjoyed DI Rebus so much, I couldn't believe it would be over so soon. I created a playlist of music from the books and it has added another dimension to my appreciation of the author's craft and one which I will continue to enjoy, despite having finished the series.
blairconrad's review against another edition
4.0
Sad. Not a sad story, but sad that this is the end of the Rebus books.
The story was pretty good, but I mostly didn't care about the whole Russian angle. We do get the usual coincidences and big web of connected people, which sometimes is fun, and sometimes grates. What makes this story, like many of the Rebuses, is the interactions of the characters we've come to love - watching Rebus, Siobhan, the other CID members, and even Cafferty deal with John's impending retirement made for an excellent show.
The story was pretty good, but I mostly didn't care about the whole Russian angle. We do get the usual coincidences and big web of connected people, which sometimes is fun, and sometimes grates. What makes this story, like many of the Rebuses, is the interactions of the characters we've come to love - watching Rebus, Siobhan, the other CID members, and even Cafferty deal with John's impending retirement made for an excellent show.
daisey4's review against another edition
4.0
Good story, really refreshing to find an author who has depth to his writing….however, I really find swearing so vulgar and useless in life. Is your vocabulary so small you can’t use a different word? The language alone makes it a book I would not recommend. .
berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the best Rebus novels in my opinion, Ian Rankin really pulled out all the stops for Rebus's "retirement novel". The murder and its ties to business and politics were really interesting, and the solution genuinely surprised me, though looking back I can see the foreshadowing was all there. I also really liked the interactions between the characters in this novel: Rebus and Clarke, the CID team, newbie Todd, and of course the eternal thorn in Rebus's side, Big Ger Cafferty. Rebus's retirement party was poignant, and the ending of the novel wonderfully fitting and the perfect outlook towards the future.
margaret21's review against another edition
4.0
I'm someone who chooses an Ian Rankin book to read from time to time. It's clear that DI Rebus and I would have little to say to one another if we met at a party. His slightly obsessive personality, and his heavy smoking and drinking put us in different parts of the planet. Nevertheless, this obsessive desire to dig away at a case, morning, noon and night makes for a compulsive read. Having made the effort to remember names, and and to fathom which part of the story each character comes from, I found myself picking up the book at every spare moment to get to the bottom of this complex murder mystery. No spoilers here then! If you enjoy a good whodunnit, you'll want to read this one, and you won't need introducing to the plot beforehand.
glumpanda's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! BUT the ending was gutting. I know why it had to end like that but I wished there was something a bit more definite and final.
cathodg's review against another edition
5.0
another perfectly weaved tale from Ian Rankin. Originally intended to be the last Rebus book there is a slow steadiness to the investigation possibly reflective of the reluctance of Rebus and others to reach that last day. As with the previous Siobhan Clarke steps up in this investigation and more than once has to decide what her way and manner are going to be once Rebus departs.
If read before Ian Rankin brought Rebus back the ending must have been one hell of a cliffhanger for fans. Those of us reading it in later years are left looking forward to the next instalment.
I know Rebus is not to everyone’s liking and many struggle with his antiquated rough edges but these will be books I could read and reread time and time again.
If read before Ian Rankin brought Rebus back the ending must have been one hell of a cliffhanger for fans. Those of us reading it in later years are left looking forward to the next instalment.
I know Rebus is not to everyone’s liking and many struggle with his antiquated rough edges but these will be books I could read and reread time and time again.
mellifluousmind444's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
alcazarz's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 to 4 stars. Nice way to send Rebus into retirement.