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plantbirdwoman's review against another edition
4.0
The rebellious bad boy of Lothian and Borders Police has finally gone too far. In a staff meeting, John Rebus' frustration with the current murder investigation boiled over and he hurled a mug at his boss' head. That was too much even for his long-suffering superiors and so, for his sins, he has been sentenced to return to police college for retraining on how to work as a team member. The other members of his training class are similar "bad boys".
Now, long-time readers of the Rebus saga will immediately smell a large rat in all of this. Rebellious and curmudgeonly Rebus may be, but it is entirely out of character for him to act in this way. He's more likely to toss a sarcastic retort than a mug. So what's up?
It turns out Rebus has been recruited to do a spot of undercover work and his temper tantrum in the staff meeting was his entre' to the group that he is to infiltrate. Some other members of the training group are suspected of being seriously bent cops. Rebus' assignment is to gain their confidence and find the evidence to put them away.
The group is assigned to work on an old unsolved murder case - as a team. The case is one that Rebus knows well and one that he may prefer not be solved. He's not the only one who has a history with the case. Other members of the bad boys group, known as the "Resurrection Men" because the training is supposed to help them resurrect their careers, also were involved with the original investigation. Is this a coincidence or is Rebus being set up?
While Rebus is on his course, Siobhan Clarke and the rest of the team continue their investigation of the current case involving the murder of an art dealer, the case which ostensibly caused Rebus to toss a cup. But the situation gets curiouser and curiouser and Rebus and Clarke begin to suspect that the two murder cases - the old unsolved one and the current one - might somehow be related.
Ian Rankin is known for his complicated and intricate plotting and this book, with its parallel investigations, stretches his talents in that regard to their limits. He does manage to keep all the balls in the air and keep the stories moving and it all comes out right in the end. But it is a near thing.
Now, long-time readers of the Rebus saga will immediately smell a large rat in all of this. Rebellious and curmudgeonly Rebus may be, but it is entirely out of character for him to act in this way. He's more likely to toss a sarcastic retort than a mug. So what's up?
It turns out Rebus has been recruited to do a spot of undercover work and his temper tantrum in the staff meeting was his entre' to the group that he is to infiltrate. Some other members of the training group are suspected of being seriously bent cops. Rebus' assignment is to gain their confidence and find the evidence to put them away.
The group is assigned to work on an old unsolved murder case - as a team. The case is one that Rebus knows well and one that he may prefer not be solved. He's not the only one who has a history with the case. Other members of the bad boys group, known as the "Resurrection Men" because the training is supposed to help them resurrect their careers, also were involved with the original investigation. Is this a coincidence or is Rebus being set up?
While Rebus is on his course, Siobhan Clarke and the rest of the team continue their investigation of the current case involving the murder of an art dealer, the case which ostensibly caused Rebus to toss a cup. But the situation gets curiouser and curiouser and Rebus and Clarke begin to suspect that the two murder cases - the old unsolved one and the current one - might somehow be related.
Ian Rankin is known for his complicated and intricate plotting and this book, with its parallel investigations, stretches his talents in that regard to their limits. He does manage to keep all the balls in the air and keep the stories moving and it all comes out right in the end. But it is a near thing.
nwhyte's review against another edition
3.0
A particularly good novel in the Rebus series, and the only Rankin book to have won the Edgar Award. Rebus is put onto a training course as punishment for throwing a cup of tea at his boss, and the dead case resurrected for him and his fellow retrainees turns out to be intimately connected both with the case he has just been taken off, and with the real reason for his throwing the tea. A very intricate plot which actually made sense at the end (which is violent and shocking), with a detailed backdrop which includes many flawed human beings and bitter insights into Scotland's history and society.
I have picked up on one stylistic trick of Rankin's: when he starts going into lyrical descriptive prose about circumstantial detail, it always means that Something is about to Happen. However, one can never be sure of what that is; and anyway, it is a perfectly accurate representation of human experience, where suddenly we do become much more aware of details at moments of stress.
Despite its strong links to previous books in the series, Resurrection Men works well as a standalone novel and would probably be a good place to start Rankin if you want to try.
I have picked up on one stylistic trick of Rankin's: when he starts going into lyrical descriptive prose about circumstantial detail, it always means that Something is about to Happen. However, one can never be sure of what that is; and anyway, it is a perfectly accurate representation of human experience, where suddenly we do become much more aware of details at moments of stress.
Despite its strong links to previous books in the series, Resurrection Men works well as a standalone novel and would probably be a good place to start Rankin if you want to try.
jbrendanshaw's review against another edition
4.0
Rich and densely plotted entry in the Rebus series which has several mysteries which twist and turn and interlock and may or may not tie together. Rebus and Siobhan Clarke are able and welcome sleuths whose world is gritty, dirty, and feel very lived in. Siobhan's view of the gendered nature of her work in the police and the world of sex work is especially adept, and I love her mentorship with Rebus. This is definitely a series where threads emerge and return and there's a density of history which accumulates.
kyriakiz's review against another edition
3.0
Δεν θα πω ψέματα. Είχα πάρει τον Ian Rankin και τον Τζον Ρέμπους με κακό μάτι από την πρώτη στιγμή που άκουσα γι αυτούς.
Αλλά επειδή δεν μπορείς να κρίνεις χωρίς να ξέρεις αποφάσισα να δοκιμάσω τους αναστημένους.
Το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο δεν με ενθουσίασε ιδιαίτερα. Μάλιστα μέχρι να πάρω το κολάι της υπόθεσης –ή μάλλον των υποθέσεων- μπερδευόμουν αρκετά συχνά, και ιδιαίτερα με τα ονόματα. Δεν ξέρω βέβαια αν υπήρχε αυτή η δυσκολία αν είχα πιάσει τη σειρά από την αρχή.
Όσο για τον Τζον Ρέμπους…δεν μπορώ να πω… ένα ενδιαφέρον το είχε σαν χαρακτήρας...βέβαια δεν ξέρω αν τον συμπάθησα ή όχι…κι αυτό γιατί κυρίως γίνονταν κάποιες αναφορές σε παλαιότερες υποθέσεις τις οποίες όμως μόνο κάποιος που είχε διαβάσει τα βιβλία θα καταλάβαινε.
Οι εξελίξεις ήταν ελάχιστες και το μέγεθος του βιβλίου πέρα από το ότι δεν βοηθούσε ήταν αδικαιολόγητο. Θα μπορούσε κάλλιστα να παραλείψει πάμπολλες άσκοπες σελίδες. Και οι δύο υποθέσεις (ή μάλλον τρεις) κυλούσαν αργά χωρίς ανατροπές κουράζοντας με πάρα πολύ. Ειλικρινά ανυπομονούσα να τελειώσει. Και είναι η πρώτη φορά πού διαβάζω αστυνομικό και πιέζομαι τόσο για να φτάσω στο τέλος. Το τέλος βέβαια μπορώ να πω πως άξιζε. Ήταν κάτι μη αναμενόμενο αλλά και πάλι θα ήθελα λίγο σασπένς παραπάνω.
Δεν ήταν τόσο κακό όσο το περίμενα αλλά ούτε και τόσο ενδιαφέρον. Πιστεύω πως έχω διαβάσει καλύτερα αστυνομικά με λιγότερη φήμη να τα ακολουθεί. Ίσως τα άλλα βιβλία του Ian Rankin να είναι καλύτερα.
Αλλά επειδή δεν μπορείς να κρίνεις χωρίς να ξέρεις αποφάσισα να δοκιμάσω τους αναστημένους.
Το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο δεν με ενθουσίασε ιδιαίτερα. Μάλιστα μέχρι να πάρω το κολάι της υπόθεσης –ή μάλλον των υποθέσεων- μπερδευόμουν αρκετά συχνά, και ιδιαίτερα με τα ονόματα. Δεν ξέρω βέβαια αν υπήρχε αυτή η δυσκολία αν είχα πιάσει τη σειρά από την αρχή.
Όσο για τον Τζον Ρέμπους…δεν μπορώ να πω… ένα ενδιαφέρον το είχε σαν χαρακτήρας...βέβαια δεν ξέρω αν τον συμπάθησα ή όχι…κι αυτό γιατί κυρίως γίνονταν κάποιες αναφορές σε παλαιότερες υποθέσεις τις οποίες όμως μόνο κάποιος που είχε διαβάσει τα βιβλία θα καταλάβαινε.
Οι εξελίξεις ήταν ελάχιστες και το μέγεθος του βιβλίου πέρα από το ότι δεν βοηθούσε ήταν αδικαιολόγητο. Θα μπορούσε κάλλιστα να παραλείψει πάμπολλες άσκοπες σελίδες. Και οι δύο υποθέσεις (ή μάλλον τρεις) κυλούσαν αργά χωρίς ανατροπές κουράζοντας με πάρα πολύ. Ειλικρινά ανυπομονούσα να τελειώσει. Και είναι η πρώτη φορά πού διαβάζω αστυνομικό και πιέζομαι τόσο για να φτάσω στο τέλος. Το τέλος βέβαια μπορώ να πω πως άξιζε. Ήταν κάτι μη αναμενόμενο αλλά και πάλι θα ήθελα λίγο σασπένς παραπάνω.
Δεν ήταν τόσο κακό όσο το περίμενα αλλά ούτε και τόσο ενδιαφέρον. Πιστεύω πως έχω διαβάσει καλύτερα αστυνομικά με λιγότερη φήμη να τα ακολουθεί. Ίσως τα άλλα βιβλία του Ian Rankin να είναι καλύτερα.
writtenbysime's review against another edition
4.0
When DI John Rebus hurls a cup of tea at his superior and ex-lover Gill Templar, he is sentenced to purgatory in the form of Tulliallan; the Scottish Police College, where rookies learn the ropes, and senior offices are offered a final shot at redemption. Embarking on a team behaviour course led by DCI Tennant, Rebus is introduced to five anti-authority types, who put his own exploits to shame: Tam Barclay, Allan Ward, Francis Gray, Stu Sutherland, and Jazz McCullough. Together, they are tasked with investigating the long unsolved murder of Eric Lomax – a case Rebus has intimate knowledge of. Coincidence? Rebus doesn’t think so. Because he, too, is a chess piece in a game being played by his superiors…
Back in Edinburgh, newly-promoted DS Siobhan Clark has been assigned the case Rebus left behind: the murder of art dealer Edward Marber, who has ties to Rebus’s nemesis, Ger Cafferty. The case isn’t quite as open-and-shut as the evidence might suggest; but with Siobhan having acquired a taste for promotion, will she comply with the wants of the powers-that-be, or dig deeper to expose the truth, as her mentor Rebus was so prone…
Ian Rankin writes the most inventive crime novels, and Resurrection Men is no exception. Atmospheric and engrossing, the novel throws Rebus and Clarke into choppy waters and teases salvation, only to plunge them in deeper, taunting them; for the reader, it’s delightful. Put simply, it’s another darn fine crime novel, and earns Rankin another star against his name.
Back in Edinburgh, newly-promoted DS Siobhan Clark has been assigned the case Rebus left behind: the murder of art dealer Edward Marber, who has ties to Rebus’s nemesis, Ger Cafferty. The case isn’t quite as open-and-shut as the evidence might suggest; but with Siobhan having acquired a taste for promotion, will she comply with the wants of the powers-that-be, or dig deeper to expose the truth, as her mentor Rebus was so prone…
Ian Rankin writes the most inventive crime novels, and Resurrection Men is no exception. Atmospheric and engrossing, the novel throws Rebus and Clarke into choppy waters and teases salvation, only to plunge them in deeper, taunting them; for the reader, it’s delightful. Put simply, it’s another darn fine crime novel, and earns Rankin another star against his name.
judenoseinabook's review against another edition
3.0
Took a bit more getting into than some earlier ones. Story more complex perhaps.
DS Clarke more to the fore as well. Quite a bleak picture of life as a police officer I suppose
DS Clarke more to the fore as well. Quite a bleak picture of life as a police officer I suppose
catherine_t's review against another edition
4.0
Rebus is sent to Tuliallan, the police academy, ostensibly for re-training after hurling a mug of tea across the room at his commanding officer. His group consists of a number of last-chancers, in that this is the last chance they'll have to shape up before they're shipped out... of the force. But there's more in play than meets the eye, because at least one of these men is a bent copper... one who's willing to commit murder to keep his secrets buried.
Back at St. Leonard's, newly promoted Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke is working the Edward Marber murder inquiry. Marber was an art dealer who had more enemies, it seems, than friends. But his path crossed that of Big Ger Cafferty, Edinburgh's top gangster, more than once, it appears. Whether that led to his murder is something Siobhan wants to know.
Ian Rankin is the writer I turn to for inspiration when it comes to writing. He can knock me down or lift me up with his words. I aspire to turn one phrase equal to his--just one. Resurrection Men was one of the few Inspector Rebus novels I'd missed reading earlier, and I was eager to get stuck in, yet reluctant, knowing that the sooner I read it, the sooner I'd finish it and feel slightly bereft, as I do whenever I read a really good book. It didn't disappoint. From the beginning, it was like meeting old friends, and the moment I closed the book for the last time, I felt satisfied yet a bit sad that it was over. That, for me, is the hallmark of a great writer and a terrific book.
Back at St. Leonard's, newly promoted Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke is working the Edward Marber murder inquiry. Marber was an art dealer who had more enemies, it seems, than friends. But his path crossed that of Big Ger Cafferty, Edinburgh's top gangster, more than once, it appears. Whether that led to his murder is something Siobhan wants to know.
Ian Rankin is the writer I turn to for inspiration when it comes to writing. He can knock me down or lift me up with his words. I aspire to turn one phrase equal to his--just one. Resurrection Men was one of the few Inspector Rebus novels I'd missed reading earlier, and I was eager to get stuck in, yet reluctant, knowing that the sooner I read it, the sooner I'd finish it and feel slightly bereft, as I do whenever I read a really good book. It didn't disappoint. From the beginning, it was like meeting old friends, and the moment I closed the book for the last time, I felt satisfied yet a bit sad that it was over. That, for me, is the hallmark of a great writer and a terrific book.
boyblue's review against another edition
3.0
Good old Rebus. Here we are again. This time the High Hiedyins decide they can put Rebus's known antagonism and lone wolf attitude to use. So they send him to do some remedial policing course for naughty cops. I'll admit Rankin got me with the tea throwing incident. I was annoyed because it didn't make sense that Rebus would be throwing tea at Gill Templer his ex-flame and now boss. Rebus is on the course with 3 suspected bad cops who have stolen some money and he's tasked with trying to get some evidence. Well we know he's going to do it, we just don't know how he's going to get it done, of course we have a suspicion that it's going to involve a pound of flesh (Rebus' flesh) because Rebus loves to pay for insights with his own body.
Meanwhile rising star Siobhan Clarke is left without her mentor to solve a murder case and finds herself becoming more and more like him as the Rebus methods bring her closer to the truth. Frankly with the sort of colleagues she has it's not hard to see why you would want to do everything yourself. For some reason that creep and colleague Derek Linford, who was legitimately caught perving on Siobhan, is back, and in some stupid way he believes everything is going to be ok and he can start asking her out again. The sad thing is I can definitely see that happening in real life. As one of the characters says to Siobhan late in the piece "I wouldn't be a female cop for all the tea in china".
Siobhan basically gets half the airtime in this book which I think is a first. It's clear that Rankin is getting closer to putting Rebus out to pasture. Again Rebus' refusal to trust anyone, even Siobhan, makes his job so much harder. He doesn't even tell the Chief Constable who has put him on these naughty cops what he's planning to do. I mean why. Once again he cracks the case and he should get serious recognition for doing what no one else could have done, not to mention the fact that he almost dies doing it. But he doesn't even get a pat on the back. He gets nothing, not a sausage. Is this supposed to help us understand his antagonism? I think it would be nice for him to be rewarded just once for doing the impossible. I also grew immensely frustrated that he somehow was dumb enough to end up cornered and kidnapped, after all the care Rankin forces him to let his guard down so we can have the classic Rebus face off.
As for Siobhan, I'm worried that the mask is eating the face. By this I mean Rankin's decision to make her like Rebus is eating away at any of her own personality traits. She is basically Rebus Lite. And without Rebus' history and track record it seems a bit petulant. Do I like her, of course. But I just wish she would be allowed to develop in a way that wasn't constantly compared to Rebus.
Still a good read and it will be interesting to see now Rankin has given Siobhan that much airtime whether he'll keep it like that or dial it back.
Meanwhile rising star Siobhan Clarke is left without her mentor to solve a murder case and finds herself becoming more and more like him as the Rebus methods bring her closer to the truth. Frankly with the sort of colleagues she has it's not hard to see why you would want to do everything yourself. For some reason that creep and colleague Derek Linford, who was legitimately caught perving on Siobhan, is back, and in some stupid way he believes everything is going to be ok and he can start asking her out again. The sad thing is I can definitely see that happening in real life. As one of the characters says to Siobhan late in the piece "I wouldn't be a female cop for all the tea in china".
Siobhan basically gets half the airtime in this book which I think is a first. It's clear that Rankin is getting closer to putting Rebus out to pasture. Again Rebus' refusal to trust anyone, even Siobhan, makes his job so much harder. He doesn't even tell the Chief Constable who has put him on these naughty cops what he's planning to do. I mean why. Once again he cracks the case and he should get serious recognition for doing what no one else could have done, not to mention the fact that he almost dies doing it. But he doesn't even get a pat on the back. He gets nothing, not a sausage. Is this supposed to help us understand his antagonism? I think it would be nice for him to be rewarded just once for doing the impossible. I also grew immensely frustrated that he somehow was dumb enough to end up cornered and kidnapped, after all the care Rankin forces him to let his guard down so we can have the classic Rebus face off.
As for Siobhan, I'm worried that the mask is eating the face. By this I mean Rankin's decision to make her like Rebus is eating away at any of her own personality traits. She is basically Rebus Lite. And without Rebus' history and track record it seems a bit petulant. Do I like her, of course. But I just wish she would be allowed to develop in a way that wasn't constantly compared to Rebus.
Still a good read and it will be interesting to see now Rankin has given Siobhan that much airtime whether he'll keep it like that or dial it back.
talentedmisfit's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5