Comments (19)

What did you think about this title?
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Apr 10, 2023libertyfaith rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This was found by accident and turned out to be very good read, nice plot twists, overlaying plots etc. Reminds me of the Inspector Gamache series. I am going back to read the books in order to follow Rebus' career, but this did work…
suless
Sep 22, 2019suless rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Set just after the first world war, this novel follows a young, highly educated woman to Paris and then to the middle east. Filled with historical facts and analysis, this story remains exciting to the end. Not at all predictable ending,…
Aug 25, 2019dlh1 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I haven't read the other books in this series, so I didn't find it as interesting and engaging as I should have. The book cover didn't mention that it was part of a series.
Dec 10, 2018DanglingConversations rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I like following Rebus into his retirement and lack of adjustment. This is a fun read for those who have been reading the series from the first Rebus novels, maybe not so interesting for those starting with Rankin's latter works. I like…
Nov 29, 2017ferm_dawg rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Ian Rankin is a master writer. This one is good, but not great. Shallow side characters and the main charc. all running around in circles. This one is kinda like 'Broadchurch' where, literally each individual has a reason for the…
Apr 02, 2017stormy1960 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
You either love Rankin or you don't. This is not one of his best but he does try to bring the lives of other key characters more to the foreground, which I appreciated.
Feb 26, 2017
None of the reviews below are about The Fragment by T. Davis Bunn. It's unfortunate that they are shown under that title.
Jan 20, 2017rbastien rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
I struggled to care who the bad people were and the good guys are boring - nothing happens for three quarters of the book and the story is predictable from beginning to end. What a tedious read.
Nov 07, 2016CMLibrary_gjd rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Rebus has finally retired, but is drawn back in when killings begin to happen and his old enemy Cafferty appears to be on the hit list. Ghosts from the past abound in this latest offering by Ian Rankin.
Oct 07, 2016jeannecrisp rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Irreverant. Honorable. Unapologetic. Loyal. Cynical. Persistant. That’s John Rebus. Even though he’s retired from the Edinburgh police force, John is still critical to a murder investigation.
Aug 22, 2016dougslater rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I liked this Rebus/Clarke/Fox police story. It is a great series and this book shows there is still a lot of life left in it. Love the Edinburgh setting and descriptions.
rb3221
Jun 02, 2016rb3221 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A great novel by Rankin with his hero Rebus, now retired but re-hired as a consultant and working with Siobhan Clarke, Malcolm Fox, and even Big Ger Cafferty. It is a well written novel with a good organized plot, a page - turner and…
May 17, 201666healey rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Rankin and Rebus never fail to entertain, and this one is no exception. Perhaps a few too many ancillary characters for my liking, but this is an excellent read. Rebus' character seems to be mellowing a bit, and the storyline involving…
May 16, 2016brangwinn rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Even though you might ferret it out the murderer of one of the victims, Rankin still creates a great mystery, filled with interesting characters.
Mar 03, 2016rhodo86 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Hate to say it, the characters (especially Rebus and Cafferty) didn't stand out as sharp as they were in other Rankin's novels. However, I dare to predict that for most Rebus fans, this book will still be head and shoulder more enjoyable…
Jan 12, 2016PimaLib_SusannahC rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I love how Rankin just can't bring himself to kill off John Rebus and Big Ger Cafferty. Or maybe his editor won't let him? Whatever the reason, it's great to still have Rebus and Cafferty bumping along, helping and annoying each other in…
Dec 21, 2015gloryb rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Nice rapport between retired Rebus who is back working with Sioban Clarke on this case. Best not to leave too much time between picking up the book after a rest because the many names and their associations will be difficult to recall.…
Dec 10, 2015pitkerro rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Meh! I'm a huge fan so this one was disappointing. Felt like he was just going through the motions.
Nov 25, 2015emerge rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
"Even dogs in the wild could do better than this..." The Associates. If you're a Rebus fan, just get it. Rankin's books are like money in the bank. You get a smart, intricate case to solve with Rebus acting as a consultant. But it's…