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carbonaden's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
woolfardis's review against another edition
4.0
[Short review from memory before I re-read and review at a later date:
As with most Rebus and other crime series books, the individual books are difficult to remember, but the whole series taken as a full entity is excellent. Because Rebus.]
As with most Rebus and other crime series books, the individual books are difficult to remember, but the whole series taken as a full entity is excellent. Because Rebus.]
lauranisbet's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nonna7's review against another edition
4.0
Although I enjoyed this book, I had problems staying with it. I'm not sure why. It seemed a little on the slow side. Sometimes I think Rankin draws things out a little too much, packs perhaps a little too much detail. Or it could be that my mind wasn't totally in it because of other things going on in my life.
When the privileged daughter of a banker disappears, Rebus and his fellow detectives soon discover that things are a lot more complicated than they first appear. A small coffin is found not far from where her family lives. Rebus learns that the coffin is one of several that have appeared after a body is found. At the same time, Rebus's sometime partner, Siobhan, is following up an internet game that the missing woman was playing.
As always, the ending is a surprise. Really a surprise. There ARE hints though. It's really an excellent book. It could be I was thinking about other things. Ian Rankin still remains one of my top favorite authors.
When the privileged daughter of a banker disappears, Rebus and his fellow detectives soon discover that things are a lot more complicated than they first appear. A small coffin is found not far from where her family lives. Rebus learns that the coffin is one of several that have appeared after a body is found. At the same time, Rebus's sometime partner, Siobhan, is following up an internet game that the missing woman was playing.
As always, the ending is a surprise. Really a surprise. There ARE hints though. It's really an excellent book. It could be I was thinking about other things. Ian Rankin still remains one of my top favorite authors.
geoffreyjen's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this Rebus, but that doesn't mean I thought it didn't have flaws. The book follows two different subplots, one being investigated by Rebus' disciple Siobhan and the other by Rebus. I loved the puzzle game followed out by Siobhan, but found the conclusion of this one anticlimactic - I thought it was pretty obvious right from the beginning who the Quizmaster was. The Rebus-Wylie interplay I found more interesting, it had a very different dynamic from the early stages of the Rebus-Siobhan interplay and I enjoyed the change. The new love interest was also interesting. I found the second subplot worked out to a satisfactory conclusion, although there, too, I guessed the culprit well before the ending. I also found the connection between the two subplots to be weak, as finally presented. However, despite these flaws, I enjoyed the book - I always love a yarn that mixes up present and past in interesting ways. And Rebus did grow a little - it gets boring if the character stays always the same. Overall, a solid Rebus story, but there is room for improvement still.
tartancrusader's review against another edition
4.0
This one differed from previous novels in that the POV was not rigidly locked into John Rebus but instead shifted between the principals occasionally (although mostly it does stay with Rebus). Still, another good one.
vdubbed78's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
the_discworldian's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good one. I spotted the murderer almost instantly and couldn't help feeling that Rebus really should have, too, but I didn't mind the ride. I also have to say I was so very, very relieved that Rankin has yet (in my experience anyway) to use the popular dark, gritty technique of
I also particularly enjoy the books that show Rebus' sympathetic side, and it's sadly refreshing to me how non-creepy he is. At this point I want more Ellen Wylie, too, because I thought she had a very interesting character arc in this book (and also I got so mad on her behalf). Siobhan has absolutely the worst luck interacting with men who aren't Rebus, though! Thank goodness. And as always, the denouement was too short, but c'est la Rankin, I guess.
Spoiler
"fridging" (killing off a female character so the male character has a reason to be dark and tortured). I was really worried he was going to do this to Jean for a while and would have been so pissed at Rankin if he'd killed her off.I also particularly enjoy the books that show Rebus' sympathetic side, and it's sadly refreshing to me how non-creepy he is. At this point I want more Ellen Wylie, too, because I thought she had a very interesting character arc in this book (and also I got so mad on her behalf). Siobhan has absolutely the worst luck interacting with men who aren't Rebus, though! Thank goodness
Spoiler
Bain showed up towards the end and seemed able to interact with her as a non-creeper. I enjoyed the Hood/Wylie duo in the previous book and was sad that one half of the pair turned into a creep and the other half got shat on for pretty much this entire book. Better things for Wylie and worse things for Hood from now on, I hope, although knowing Rankin I'm probably hoping for too muchluffy79's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of these series that give the illusion of extraordinary depth. That's because the characters, including the main character DI Rebus are meshed as one with the story. The people in this book are also meshed with their place of work.
Here Gill Templer has taken over the rein as chief from her former boss, The Farmer. Gill was the ex girlfriend of John Rebus, if a one night stand can be alluded to that. She is prickly towards Rebus as she well knows that he is a loose cannon. They clash in spectacular fashion. If this were a romance book, Gill and Rebus would engage in hot fiery, tearing, reconciliation sex. But it's not, so let's move on, shall we?
Basically there are two serial killers, one in the present, one in the past. The present one is imitating the modus operandi of his/her predecessor. Rebus hooks up with Gill's friend Jean and the latter has a role in the climax of the book.
Compared to the other books in the series, this one has the most "cliffhangery" action. There is another female Detective, Ellen who John has saved in fine Tom Sawyer style. They combine their efforts to arrive just in time to save Jean and nail the killer.
Oh I nearly forgot Siobhan, ex flame and current collaborator of Rebus. She nabs the present killer just as Rebus nabs the past killer. Siobhan arrives at her successful deduction through a series of computer games. As you can see, it's possible to talk at length about the book without revealing spoilers. That's because there are a lot of threads in the book, which is why it's so highly rated by me. Take it from me, this one deserves to be read.
Here Gill Templer has taken over the rein as chief from her former boss, The Farmer. Gill was the ex girlfriend of John Rebus, if a one night stand can be alluded to that. She is prickly towards Rebus as she well knows that he is a loose cannon. They clash in spectacular fashion. If this were a romance book, Gill and Rebus would engage in hot fiery, tearing, reconciliation sex. But it's not, so let's move on, shall we?
Basically there are two serial killers, one in the present, one in the past. The present one is imitating the modus operandi of his/her predecessor. Rebus hooks up with Gill's friend Jean and the latter has a role in the climax of the book.
Compared to the other books in the series, this one has the most "cliffhangery" action. There is another female Detective, Ellen who John has saved in fine Tom Sawyer style. They combine their efforts to arrive just in time to save Jean and nail the killer.
Oh I nearly forgot Siobhan, ex flame and current collaborator of Rebus. She nabs the present killer just as Rebus nabs the past killer. Siobhan arrives at her successful deduction through a series of computer games. As you can see, it's possible to talk at length about the book without revealing spoilers. That's because there are a lot of threads in the book, which is why it's so highly rated by me. Take it from me, this one deserves to be read.