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A review by boyblue
The Falls by Ian Rankin
4.0
I can't say I really recognise the Rebus we see in The Falls. He's a team player, he's doing what's right for those around him, he's respectful, he's not really the guy who cracks the case.
He's lost a step.
But it's brilliant.
Rebus is human and Rankin has found a way to add even more depth and dimension to his character.
I have disagreed with the last few books because despite Rebus being the best detective the Scottish police force has, and despite him busting major crime syndicates and taking down every single serial killer the department has dealt with pretty much single-handedly, his superiors still resent him and don't trust him. It just doesn't make sense, I could understand that they might not personally like him and I get the workplace politics angle too, but the man gets results. He gets the baddest of bad guys every time. He's a crime solving savant. Unpalatable for sure but surely his superiors know by now to just let him go and he'll drag the bad guy in, he doesn't even really want resources, he'll do it himself and put his own body on the line, not even asking for a thank you. Anyway the Farmer came around to him just as he was leaving and in retirement seems to love Rebus. But Gill Templer who is an ex flame of his and has seen better than most how effective he is keeps him on a short leash. I understand she doesn't want him to spoil the start of her new job, but surely she knows how to manage Rebus better than anyone. And when he takes the fall for the young misguided cop why does Templer not see that as a revelation considering how much of an outsider solo player she knows he is.
Siobhan Clarke is clearly being polished up by Rankin to take over. And she's a smart character if a little bit flat. I mean beyond being a bit of a loner like Rebus, and supporting the Hibs, what is her personality? We know she has rich parents but that's about it.
The case was good fun. If a bit annoying considering the very wide circle we went in to get back to the real culprits. Rebus' new love is likeable and they are getting along for now which is nice. His cursory thoughts of his daughter make me feel she'll be back in the main picture eventually. I also wonder if the reporter Mr Holly will continue to feature heavily.
I think Rebus in the backseat and bringing up the new generation is a great new angle to take the series, I just hope we get a few more likeable auxiliary characters that we can get behind and enjoy their rise. Because at the moment we've only got Siobhan.
I think this is the first book where Rebus hasn't cracked the case himself.
I feel the next few we're going to see Rebus being pushed further out and Siobhan to become even more of a main character.
He's lost a step.
But it's brilliant.
Rebus is human and Rankin has found a way to add even more depth and dimension to his character.
I have disagreed with the last few books because despite Rebus being the best detective the Scottish police force has, and despite him busting major crime syndicates and taking down every single serial killer the department has dealt with pretty much single-handedly, his superiors still resent him and don't trust him. It just doesn't make sense, I could understand that they might not personally like him and I get the workplace politics angle too, but the man gets results. He gets the baddest of bad guys every time. He's a crime solving savant. Unpalatable for sure but surely his superiors know by now to just let him go and he'll drag the bad guy in, he doesn't even really want resources, he'll do it himself and put his own body on the line, not even asking for a thank you. Anyway the Farmer came around to him just as he was leaving and in retirement seems to love Rebus. But Gill Templer who is an ex flame of his and has seen better than most how effective he is keeps him on a short leash. I understand she doesn't want him to spoil the start of her new job, but surely she knows how to manage Rebus better than anyone. And when he takes the fall for the young misguided cop why does Templer not see that as a revelation considering how much of an outsider solo player she knows he is.
Siobhan Clarke is clearly being polished up by Rankin to take over. And she's a smart character if a little bit flat. I mean beyond being a bit of a loner like Rebus, and supporting the Hibs, what is her personality? We know she has rich parents but that's about it.
The case was good fun. If a bit annoying considering the very wide circle we went in to get back to the real culprits. Rebus' new love is likeable and they are getting along for now which is nice. His cursory thoughts of his daughter make me feel she'll be back in the main picture eventually. I also wonder if the reporter Mr Holly will continue to feature heavily.
I think Rebus in the backseat and bringing up the new generation is a great new angle to take the series, I just hope we get a few more likeable auxiliary characters that we can get behind and enjoy their rise. Because at the moment we've only got Siobhan.
I think this is the first book where Rebus hasn't cracked the case himself.
I feel the next few we're going to see Rebus being pushed further out and Siobhan to become even more of a main character.