Reviews

I was a little afraid of this book, as it seemed like it would be one of the Rebus "theme" or "cause" books. I needn't have been. While the cause that was dealt with is real and poignant, and we were given a good introduction to it, Rebus wasn't taken out of his element this time. I found I was able to believe the story, with not much more suspension of disbelief than usual. I was slightly more aware of the level of "everything ends up being related" than I've been in previous Rebuses, but it wasn't so bad.
I enjoyed Siobhan's treatment, as I have been lately. It's fun to see her as a separate individual and detective in her own right, rather than just Rebus's appendage or flunky.

berlinbibliophile's review against another edition

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4.0

I'm finding that in general, I like the later Rebus books more. There's change in the setting and the characters, and Rebus is no longer the lone wolf who despises his coworkers, Siobhan is a detective he respects for her abilities and who he's even friends with, as far as that goes with him. I also liked that Rebus had to confront some of his own prejudices in this book. It's hard to confront the fact that society instills racism in us all, but it must be confronted and constantly worked on to get better. The mystery was also solid, and I liked the involvement of so many different police divisions, and the interdepartmental sniping that brought with it.

robynryle's review against another edition

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3.0

This was kind of like a more sophisticated Law and Order episode. Topical, in that it deals with immigration in Scotland. The characters are complicated and intereting and Rankin does a nice job subtly weaving togther the story of Inspector Rebus with the topic of immigration in Scotland. At least in this book, which is the first of Rankin's I've read, it's missing a sense of urgency and suspense. It was enjoyable to read, but I wasn't really pulled through it.

hot4roalddahl's review against another edition

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dark lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

cathodg's review against another edition

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4.0

First published 18 years ago in 2004 it is so sad to read a plot including refugees and asylum seekers and feel it could have been written today. People smuggling, modern slavery, and a feeling of “them vrs us”.

Rebus continues to be the grouchy, difficult misanthrope of previous books but the issues of immigration and new chances seems to get under his skin and we do see a slightly softer side in this book.

The plots continue to have twists and turns but as always neatly tie together at the end. This doesn’t bother me but I can understand how some might feel it all wraps up too quickly and easily.

bibliotequeish's review

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3.0

I got this book at a secondhand store. I did not know it was part of a series, I think I was rushed and going away, and it look interesting and long enough to get me through the long weekend.
Oddly enough I did not realize it was part of a series, Rankin told enough about the existing characters that you knew what was going on, and not too much to bore the people who read the other books in the series and was already familiar with them.

This book was interesting in a mystery thriller... possible budding romance kind of way.
Rebus is definitely a gruff guy, which I think most detectives in mystery novels are.
I can see how people could get lost in this world Rankin was created.

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