A somewhat engaging story - I was actually curious about the main mystery, and anxious to see how the disparate bits would fit together in the end (as Rankin alway seems to have them do). As usual, a little more coincidence than I enjoy...

Also as usual, the characters make the story, and we've been following Rebus, Siobhan, and ... others long enough that just watching their interactions is a joy. I was really sucked in by some aspects of Siobhan's story this time, perhaps appropriate as Rebus gets closer to retirement age. I especially enjoyed learning a little about her past and family life.

A book I read for university, and one I thoroughly enjoyed. This book really knocked it out of the park in comparison to the first Rebus novels I read, with a complex plot and likeable, fleshed-out characters. So many different mysterious strings leading back to the same killer, and never did the book seem convoluted, boring, or unclear. My only quibble with it is the end, which was logical, but left me frustrated, without the criminal actually caught.
I especially liked Siobhan Clarke's greater involvement, and I was definitely a fan of seeing points of view other than Rebus's, and especially of seeing him and his relationships with others through the eyes of those others. It was a nice change of perspective and priorities.

I've said before that the only thing I don't like about the Rebus mysteries is the crimes, and here again we've got a fine, atmospheric, entertaining tale with a bizarre and utterly implausible crime spree at its heart. The investigation, such as it is, is held together by a series of coincidences of Dickensian magnitude. It's a tribute to Rankin's strength as a genre writer and the vividness of Rebus and the supporting cast that none of this ruins the party.

Standard Ian Rankin/DI Rebus fare - that is to say readable & entertaining. I will say that Rankin knows how to craft a pop mystery novel, that's for sure.

This is the first of Rankin’s books which references current affairs I can clearly remember. The Make poverty history marches, the concerts, and of course the London bombings. Seventeen years later it all seems like a very different world.

Rebus continues to be a difficult self driven officer of the law, running people up the wrong way left right and centre. But is Siobhan taking or one too many of his dark characteristics?

Unlike a number of the earlier books Rankin doesn’t spend too much time in Rebus’s past or personal life concentrating instead on broadening the character of Siobhan and giving us more insight to her back story and family.

Not my favourite Rebus novel. Found it very slow at points. The ultimate payoff was enjoyable, as well as the setting of Edinburgh and the G8 but other than that, not the most enjoyable read.

Yet another great Rankin book, if not a little self conciously scattered with modern reference points!