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nuthatch's review against another edition
challenging
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? It's complicated
4.0
sarahhayter1993's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
5.0
I believe this concludes my Rebus love affair. I was thrilled to discover that I had missed one. The portrayal of Big Ger Cafferty was much colder than in later books of the series and added to the complexity of Rebus' feelings about him. One thing I have noticed about this series that makes it different is the way Rankin leaves space between the books. Events happen between the stories and give the feeling that life goes on for the characters, even when you are not reading about them.
_lilbey_'s review against another edition
3.0
I liked the previous book better, but still a solid read.
Spoiler
I do not like narrative devices where someone finds a journal that explains all sorts of key features of a crime or event. Feels lazy...sandin954's review against another edition
3.0
I've finally started to get into this series. Nice mix of characters, setting, and criminal activity.
gingagma's review against another edition
4.0
Good to get back into Rebus and being able to visualise where abouts in Edinburgh the stories are set.
_rusalka's review against another edition
4.0
I think Mr Rankin and I are on to a good thing. He's predictable in a police procedural with some twists and turns. I'm pretty much settled into a 3-4 star expected read. I am expecting one day he will blow my mind, there is a quite solidarity and dependability that suggests to me that there is a surprise lurking someday. But in the mean time Rebus and I are happy wandering around Edinburgh together, and me longing to go back for a visit or for good.
berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
After reading the later books in the series, this one was a real let-down. The secondary characters have not been as developed yet, the mystery is several levels less complex and Big Ger Cafferty is just not an effectual villain or foil for Rebus yet, which he was obviously conceived to be.
This was an okay crime novel in itself, but much less than I have come to expect from Ian Rankin.
This was an okay crime novel in itself, but much less than I have come to expect from Ian Rankin.