A review by romonko
A Heart Full of Headstones by Ian Rankin

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I have loved the John Rebus series for a long time. I've faithfully read every book in this series as soon as they came out, but I was a year or so late to get to this one. The main reason for that is because I've been putting off reaching the end. As Rebus has been retired for a number of years by the time this book came out , and as his health has been deteriorating, he doesn't get around as much as he used to. It was interesting to see him mix it up a bit in this, and, as always, he's way ahead of the pack when he is on the hunt. I did not like the way this book ended because it certainly leaves everything up in the air, but we see a new Rebus. One who is reflective, and ready to atone for what he feels were the many sins that he committed when he was in the force. He knows a reckoning is coming, and typically Rebus, he wants to meet it head on and on his own terms. I particularly love the poem that this book title was based on:
"I was a single father
But I just can't complain
Got a heart full of headstones
As I step down from the train."--Jackie Leven
I see there is another book coming out soon which should give some closure to the way that this book ended. You can bet I'll be reading that one.