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cjohnsto's review
dark
tense
slow-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
3.5
elliethecatlover's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bigt's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Well written and engaging but this story is one in a sequence. The ending leaves a cliff hanger for the next book and the continuity of character development and plots across the series makes this a less satisfying read as a one off
rollotreadway's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ro_de_oh's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lizziebeth57's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I’ve read loads of Rebus novels but in this one he’s getting old and is sick so I found it a sad read.
hannagg's review against another edition
5.0
I was an avid reader of Ian Rankin’s series with the Edinburgh detective John Rebus. Still, I somehow became distracted by the new and shiny mysteries that pop in the bookstores every week. Now I’m glad to see that Rebus is back and better than ever. It’s such a classic, noir fiction, with sharp dialogs and exciting characters, that I envy those who haven’t got a chance to read the series yet.
“A Heart Full of Headstones” begins with Rebus in court as the defendant, accused of a serious crime. The story is slowly revealed – it starts with Morris “Ger” Cafferty, an old crime boss and Rebus’ antagonist hiring John to look for a man who might be dead. As explained to Rebus, Cafferty’s intentions are good, and payment might come in handy as Rebus has retired. Well, retired or not, his brain is still sharp even if the body has weakened. Rebus’ informal investigation intertwines with his previous work partner, now DI, Siobhan Clarke’s work on a different case. Nobody seems completely innocent, especially the team at another police station that became a refuge for ruthless and misogynistic police officers. It looks like it’s in someone’s interest to have Rebus out of the picture forever.
The title of this book is taken from the lyrics of “Single Father,” a song by Rankin’s late friend, a Scottish musician Jackie Leven. Another Rankin’s book title, “Standing in Another Man’s Grave,” is also based on a piece by Jackie Leven. I’m proud to say that the collection of Rankin’s books stands next to my collection of Jackie Leven’s songs, and I think they belong together.
This is a great crime novel, and I highly recommend it. Just get this book and follow Rebus’s example. He “had walked Brillo, fed both dog and owner, and poured himself into the armchair in his living room alongside a second whisky. The hi-fi system was playing Jackie Leven at barely discernible volume.” This should be a mystery novel reader’s ideal evening.
“A Heart Full of Headstones” begins with Rebus in court as the defendant, accused of a serious crime. The story is slowly revealed – it starts with Morris “Ger” Cafferty, an old crime boss and Rebus’ antagonist hiring John to look for a man who might be dead. As explained to Rebus, Cafferty’s intentions are good, and payment might come in handy as Rebus has retired. Well, retired or not, his brain is still sharp even if the body has weakened. Rebus’ informal investigation intertwines with his previous work partner, now DI, Siobhan Clarke’s work on a different case. Nobody seems completely innocent, especially the team at another police station that became a refuge for ruthless and misogynistic police officers. It looks like it’s in someone’s interest to have Rebus out of the picture forever.
The title of this book is taken from the lyrics of “Single Father,” a song by Rankin’s late friend, a Scottish musician Jackie Leven. Another Rankin’s book title, “Standing in Another Man’s Grave,” is also based on a piece by Jackie Leven. I’m proud to say that the collection of Rankin’s books stands next to my collection of Jackie Leven’s songs, and I think they belong together.
This is a great crime novel, and I highly recommend it. Just get this book and follow Rebus’s example. He “had walked Brillo, fed both dog and owner, and poured himself into the armchair in his living room alongside a second whisky. The hi-fi system was playing Jackie Leven at barely discernible volume.” This should be a mystery novel reader’s ideal evening.
litmajor1's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
liberrydude's review against another edition
3.0
I’m still trying to figure out how the title relates to the story. Is this the last of Rebus? Time to transition to a Siobhan Clarke series? All of Rebus’ chickens are coming home to roost. I’m liking him less and less. He’s a persistent pain in the ass whose ends justify the means modus operandi might be finally placing him in legal jeopardy.
A cop has beaten his wife. Not the first time either. He’s got lots of dirt on his precinct’s bad behavior and is threatening to tell all if the charges of domestic violence are not dropped. Siobhan Clarke is on the case and running into the blue wall of silence. She’s joined by Malcolm Fox out of National Police and formerly of Complaints who is determined to make an example of someone.
Meanwhile Rebus has been asked by the gangster, Cafferty, to find a guy that is dead. The supposedly deceased guy had stolen from Cafferty and was allegedly disappeared because of that. But there have been sightings. Cafferty tells Rebus it appears he might not have stolen and he wants him found so he can make amends. Yeah, right? Rebus undertakes this errand for the gangster out of sheer curiosity.
So eventually these two plot lines intersect. A very unpredictable and shocking ending which is also nebulous.
A cop has beaten his wife. Not the first time either. He’s got lots of dirt on his precinct’s bad behavior and is threatening to tell all if the charges of domestic violence are not dropped. Siobhan Clarke is on the case and running into the blue wall of silence. She’s joined by Malcolm Fox out of National Police and formerly of Complaints who is determined to make an example of someone.
Meanwhile Rebus has been asked by the gangster, Cafferty, to find a guy that is dead. The supposedly deceased guy had stolen from Cafferty and was allegedly disappeared because of that. But there have been sightings. Cafferty tells Rebus it appears he might not have stolen and he wants him found so he can make amends. Yeah, right? Rebus undertakes this errand for the gangster out of sheer curiosity.
So eventually these two plot lines intersect. A very unpredictable and shocking ending which is also nebulous.
berlinbibliophile's review
3.0
These books get more and more depressing, but that's because they're reckoning more and more with the rampant corruption of the police and Rebus in particular. It's set during Covid and that actually works really well.