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blackcatlouise's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this but I have enjoyed all the Rebus books I've read. I enjoyed Siobahn having her own Internet mystery to follow whole Rebus ran around following other lines of enquiry. I loved visiting the Elephant Cafe and walking across the meadows with Rebus.
Great mystery with an exciting conclusion.
Great mystery with an exciting conclusion.
plantbirdwoman's review against another edition
4.0
One of my reading projects for the year has been to read the Inspector Rebus series. Ian Rankin first introduced his popular detective to us back in 1987, but I came to know him long after that.
I didn't complete all the Rebus books this year, but that just gives me something to look forward to in 2011. At this point, I'm up to number 12 in the series which runs through 17 books.
Rankin was always a good writer right from the beginning, but over the years he has just gotten better and better. His John Rebus is a fully fleshed-out character, someone we know and empathize with, if not admire. His is a dark and moody soul that seems right at home in Edinburgh, as it would be perhaps nowhere else.
The starting point of "The Falls" is the disappearance of a student, one Phillipa Balfour, the privileged daughter of a prominent banker. At the beginning, there are no real clues to the disappearance and the Lothian and Borders police must dig deep to try to find some scrap of information which may lead them to a resolution of the case. Rebus is not alone on the force in sensing almost immediately that the girl is dead, but where? How? And, most of all, why?
In combing records of past crimes, Rebus begins to see patterns and wonders if perhaps a serial killer is at work. His colleague and friend, Siobhan Clarke, uncovers evidence that Phillipa was playing an Internet game, run by someone called Quizmaster, at the time of her disappearance. Could those two events be related?
Siobhan signs on and contacts Quizmaster who begins sending her clues for the same game, the same scavenger hunt that may have brought Phillipa to her death. Because she is dead. Her body is eventually found. She's been strangled and now it is a murder case. It's the kind of convoluted case, with red herrings smelling up the joint, at which John Rebus excels. He is an intuitive copper and amid all the misdirections, he once again manages to intuit his way to the right conclusion.
One thing I've learned in reading twelve of these Rebus books, they are addictive. You can't read just one. Finishing one leaves the reader itching to get on to the next one, and why should I deny myself?
So I plan to close out the year with Rebus and "Resurrection Men", lucky number thirteen in the series.
I didn't complete all the Rebus books this year, but that just gives me something to look forward to in 2011. At this point, I'm up to number 12 in the series which runs through 17 books.
Rankin was always a good writer right from the beginning, but over the years he has just gotten better and better. His John Rebus is a fully fleshed-out character, someone we know and empathize with, if not admire. His is a dark and moody soul that seems right at home in Edinburgh, as it would be perhaps nowhere else.
The starting point of "The Falls" is the disappearance of a student, one Phillipa Balfour, the privileged daughter of a prominent banker. At the beginning, there are no real clues to the disappearance and the Lothian and Borders police must dig deep to try to find some scrap of information which may lead them to a resolution of the case. Rebus is not alone on the force in sensing almost immediately that the girl is dead, but where? How? And, most of all, why?
In combing records of past crimes, Rebus begins to see patterns and wonders if perhaps a serial killer is at work. His colleague and friend, Siobhan Clarke, uncovers evidence that Phillipa was playing an Internet game, run by someone called Quizmaster, at the time of her disappearance. Could those two events be related?
Siobhan signs on and contacts Quizmaster who begins sending her clues for the same game, the same scavenger hunt that may have brought Phillipa to her death. Because she is dead. Her body is eventually found. She's been strangled and now it is a murder case. It's the kind of convoluted case, with red herrings smelling up the joint, at which John Rebus excels. He is an intuitive copper and amid all the misdirections, he once again manages to intuit his way to the right conclusion.
One thing I've learned in reading twelve of these Rebus books, they are addictive. You can't read just one. Finishing one leaves the reader itching to get on to the next one, and why should I deny myself?
So I plan to close out the year with Rebus and "Resurrection Men", lucky number thirteen in the series.
nwhyte's review against another edition
2.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1588415.html
A slightly disappointing Rebus novel, for once; the obvious suspects turn out to be indeed the criminals. Rankin may have been trying to write a character-based novel, and indeed he gives Rebus three good female characters to spark off (his ex who is now his boss, his new lover and his protégée) but rather forgot to supply an interesting plot to go with it, dazzled instead by these newfangled computer thingies. So not really one I would recommend highly.
A slightly disappointing Rebus novel, for once; the obvious suspects turn out to be indeed the criminals. Rankin may have been trying to write a character-based novel, and indeed he gives Rebus three good female characters to spark off (his ex who is now his boss, his new lover and his protégée) but rather forgot to supply an interesting plot to go with it, dazzled instead by these newfangled computer thingies. So not really one I would recommend highly.
dondon02's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
judenoseinabook's review against another edition
3.0
Another intriguing thriller from Ian Rankin. Although it is a Rebus story it does focus a lot on Siobahn Clarke.
The mystery is a bit ancient and modern, IT nerdy stuff, an online game and old superstitions around death and the resurrection men
The mystery is a bit ancient and modern, IT nerdy stuff, an online game and old superstitions around death and the resurrection men
harvio's review against another edition
5.0
- wonderful character development in this engaging thriller
- sharp, realistic dialogue
- refreshing Scottish idioms
- I will definitely read something else by this author
- sharp, realistic dialogue
- refreshing Scottish idioms
- I will definitely read something else by this author
hbkolb's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This year I have made it a goal to read books in genres that I don't gravitate towards. I normally don't read crime or mystery books, but who can live in Edinburgh and not read the books of its most eminent authors? Ian Rankin is an Edinburgh-based author, and his characters wander the streets, alleys, and surrounding areas of the places I have come to know and love. It was fun to walk down Princes Street, across George IV bridge, hike up to Arthur's Seat, and explore Rossalyn Chapel with the characters. If you are into crime or mystery books, I can recommend this one. Definitely not your cozy crime fiction, but it is compelling all the same.
amothersmusings1's review against another edition
5.0
Another great Rebus book, the mean moody and uncontrollable Scottish detective! Great storyline and characters once again, only what I expect from Ian Rankin. I would recommend this book.
acornish1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kayleighoneillonwheels's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0