Reviews

This is the first in the Inspector John Rebus mystery series. Edinburgh is plagued by a series of kidnapping/killings of young girls, and Rebus is on the investigative team. When he realizes that the anonymous messages he’s been receiving coincide with the kidnappings, he is forced to consider that he may have a personal connection to this killer.

Rankin writes a fast-paced thriller with several twists and turns in the plot. Rebus is a complicated character, turning to alcohol to lessen the pain of his past experiences, including a failed marriage, but still clearly an intelligent and resourceful detective. His former work as a member of Britain’s elite SAS adds a certain mystique to his background. A subplot involving his brother, Michael, and an investigative reporter, Jim Stevens, adds both tension and a distraction from the killings. Makes me wonder if these characters will also appear in later books.

I’ll definitely read more of this series.

lizruest's review

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adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

howtobebooks's review against another edition

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3.0

From the outset it was completely obvious who was responsible for the murders and abductions and yet it took the entire novel for the detective to figure it out. I became rather frustrated with the character's various flaws which stopped him from solving the murder. I was told Ian Rankin has a good reputation for writing thrillers so slightly disappointed overall.

briesespieces's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5 stars! i love how easily this flowed. our first introduction to Inspector Rebus had me wanting to know more and more about him and his relationship with his ex-wife and his daughter after he got out of the SAS. the mystery is centered on a murderer who randomly kidnaps teenage girls in Edinburgh and kills them then sends clues to Rebus, who has no idea that there’s a connection between the clues and the kidnappings. i loved how the author executed the clues by imbuing the atmosphere in the setting with ultimate creepiness, especially during the murderer’s pov where we see them readying the clues to mail to Rebus and where we get a surface level insight into the murderer’s thoughts and motivation.

the description of rebus’s trauma from his time in the SAS was really well done and felt very real and gritty. when i began this, i had already imagined how the story was going to be like and in which direction it was going to go so i’m pleasantly surprised it diverged from what i had in mind.

i have a feeling the second book in the series is going to be even better than the first so i’ll definitely be picking that up!

es_the_book_hoarder's review against another edition

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4.0

I actually really liked this. It's a completely different style of writing, which I found difficult to get into, but it is a good book and a great introduction to a series which I must now add to my tbr pile. I'm very intrigued by Rebus as a character, and am looking forward to learning more about him.

sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition

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5.0

Loved this book. I’m Scottish so maybe biased but loved rebus and the descriptions of Edinburgh. Will be reading the series. Read this in 2 sittings.

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