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mrbrownsays's review against another edition
3.0
Really good theme. Had a few too many characters for me though. Lots of characters skin deep. Really enjoying the character Siobhan.
kathydavie's review against another edition
A body is discovered in and there is a question of who investigates-Special Branch or the locals. Great writing. Great story. Tension and conflict abounds.
pa259's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
char931's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
katzreads's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as others I have read by this author. Too many characters are introduced and I had difficulty keeping track of all the different police from differing agenies!
bluestarfish's review against another edition
3.0
My first Rebus novel and I enjoyed the action set to the back drop of the Festival and sectarian acts. There's a lot going on in Edinburgh and not much chance for Rebus to sit down and relax. Enjoyable read and I did like Rebus.
sandin954's review against another edition
3.0
Another good solid read in this series. A tortured body is found in a medieval cellar during the Edinburgh Festival and Rebus and his team investigate. I have really started to enjoy this series. Rebus and his supporting cast are becoming more fleshed out and believable and the plots in the last couple of books have been much more to my liking.
gunjan2024's review against another edition
3.0
This book took a longer to complete than I expected.
This one is my very first Novel of Ian Rankin manifesting the work of John Rebus and Abernethy.
To me the novel was like some full packed action movie without much of the action. But, I enjoyed it as much as I would enjoy an action movie.
I am already started liking Rebus and the blatant mouth Aberenthy.
Things I loved,
I love Abernethy.
Instance 1
Frankie Bothwell saying to Rebus that he haven't met Abernethy, to which Abernethy replies.
"I usually only meet shit when I wipe my arse."
He had me at this sentence.
Again in an instsnce,
When Frankie Bothwell calls the two, Rebus and Abernethy crazy, Abernethy replies,
"We are police. We are paid to be crazy, what's your excuse?"
You go, Abernethy. I love the man. But, that doesn't mean I love Rebus any less. The two man have their own charm.
Things I Liked,
Story and the way Ian Rankin has narrated it. This is his 6th Novel. And, now I am looking forward to read from first part. So, that I can have enough of Rebus and Abernethy.
Things I didn't like,
Nothing, Period.
This one is my very first Novel of Ian Rankin manifesting the work of John Rebus and Abernethy.
To me the novel was like some full packed action movie without much of the action. But, I enjoyed it as much as I would enjoy an action movie.
I am already started liking Rebus and the blatant mouth Aberenthy.
Things I loved,
I love Abernethy.
Instance 1
Frankie Bothwell saying to Rebus that he haven't met Abernethy, to which Abernethy replies.
"I usually only meet shit when I wipe my arse."
He had me at this sentence.
Again in an instsnce,
When Frankie Bothwell calls the two, Rebus and Abernethy crazy, Abernethy replies,
"We are police. We are paid to be crazy, what's your excuse?"
You go, Abernethy. I love the man. But, that doesn't mean I love Rebus any less. The two man have their own charm.
Things I Liked,
Story and the way Ian Rankin has narrated it. This is his 6th Novel. And, now I am looking forward to read from first part. So, that I can have enough of Rebus and Abernethy.
Things I didn't like,
Nothing, Period.
nickcarravay's review against another edition
3.0
As others have said of this book, it is not one of the finest Rebus books. He is still a great character, flawed and broken and honest, someone you love and you love to hate at times, but this book delves mostly into the darkness of Ireland's problems of religious civil war. Not being from Ireland or a scholar on the subject of paramilitaries, the book found me wanting for something more murder-mystery and less conspiracy to take over the government.
If you have had no exposure to the inside look at the IRA and similar organizations and their impact on Ireland, this book gives a glimpse of the war, but if you were hoping for a Rebus, twisted thriller, this book is not what you are looking for.
It's still part of the series and if you are like me and read all the books in a series, then you will read this too and the one after it and so forth in ad nauseum.
If you have had no exposure to the inside look at the IRA and similar organizations and their impact on Ireland, this book gives a glimpse of the war, but if you were hoping for a Rebus, twisted thriller, this book is not what you are looking for.
It's still part of the series and if you are like me and read all the books in a series, then you will read this too and the one after it and so forth in ad nauseum.