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ajnel's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
As is almost always the case, Rankin's whodunits are competently written, but it is manner in which his main cast of characters come to life, which makes him an exceptional writer. Another very special novel.
anetq's review against another edition
4.0
Always love the dry humour of the scots ;)
Read it in the airports of Austin & Chicago
Read it in the airports of Austin & Chicago
kingfan30's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve read a couple of earlier Rebus books, but not been enamoured enough to start at the beginning and work though as I have with other series. They do stand well on their own though and I never feel like I’m missing any back story. The crimes are quite complex in this, with two seeming unconnected crimes being investigated. At times I felt it wasn’t really going anywhere and at others that clues were just picked out of thin air, but overall not a bad read.
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
Quite a good read, not one of his best but enjoyed the fact that it was based around the G8 summit and London bombings, brought a sense of reality to the story.
chaifanatic18's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lauranisbet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
woolfardis's review against another edition
3.0
charles_cbcpl's review against another edition
4.0
This British mystery follows inspector Rebus and a colleague as they track patches of fabric discovered at a minor tourist attraction back to the killer who cut them from victim's clothing. In the same region, a prominent politician has fallen to his death at a G8 summit; needless to say, Rebus suspects foul play.
The back drop to this detailed and cleverly-plotted story is a series of massive public demonstrations against G8 policy. Rankin places sympathetic characters on both sides of the police barricades, and throws in a collection of love interests, lowlifes, and an obstructive government official.
The heavy-drinking, wisecracking, rule-flaunting inspector is not a very likable character; it seems like he would have yielded faster results and burned fewer bridges if his personality wasn't stuck on "noir". Other characterizations are excellent by mystery novel standards, however, and the writing is very tight. The slow pacing (this is a British mystery, after all) may put some readers off, but I found myself reading in to the wee hours.
The back drop to this detailed and cleverly-plotted story is a series of massive public demonstrations against G8 policy. Rankin places sympathetic characters on both sides of the police barricades, and throws in a collection of love interests, lowlifes, and an obstructive government official.
The heavy-drinking, wisecracking, rule-flaunting inspector is not a very likable character; it seems like he would have yielded faster results and burned fewer bridges if his personality wasn't stuck on "noir". Other characterizations are excellent by mystery novel standards, however, and the writing is very tight. The slow pacing (this is a British mystery, after all) may put some readers off, but I found myself reading in to the wee hours.
stodorova's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75