Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
This is the 24th Rebus novel by Ian Rankin and, like previous books in the series, it is well-written, well-plotted and smart with plenty of twists and turns. And, of course, like his previous books, there’s plenty of references to music including the title. The Rebus series has been one of my favourites over the years and A Heart Full of Headstones definitely doesn’t disappoint.
In secondary school, a teacher mentioned that the deduction techniques detailed in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work had been so well crafted that they influenced the policing of the day. That fiction could change the world was a powerful idea, and one I wanted to be part of. This is definitely a great book for long time fans, as the repeat characters show the paths they’ve chosen. And where their loyalties lie. Rankin has used a common literary device where he starts the story near what is probably the end of the story. In the opening paragraphs John Rebus is in court on trial for an unknown offence. It whets the appetite of the reader to continue to read to discover why this antihero has finally being prosecuted. We know he bends the rules but, this time has he broken the rules? I am not sure if this hook is necessary in a Rebus’ novel. I plan to decompress in 2023, which means you might not be hearing much from me. Meantime, here are some of my favourites of the year in books, albums and films.At the same time, police detective and long-time ally Siobhan Clarke is tasked with a domestic violence case involving a police detective. The case soon becomes a sprawling investigation involving decades of police corruption and misconduct based out of a historically notorious police station that certainly will involve much larger implications and possibly even John Rebus.
Since finishing the last Rebus book, Rankin has worked on The Dark Remains, an unfinished story by the late William McIlvanney, which was published in the autumn, as well as taking part in a murder mystery TV series for Channel 4. It turns out that a favour is asked, and this is the beginning of a complex, yet easy to read story, about how time changes your perspective, friendships are tested, and the underbelly of a city is exposed. Big Ger Cafferty (Rebus’ longtime nemesis) surveys the vista of Edinburgh through a telescope from the prized position of his penthouse unit. Keeping his eyes firmly peeled on the City he once ruled with drugs and fists. I was delighted to hear Cassie speak for herself as the narrator of The Likeness, which takes place after the dramatic events of In the Woods. In this suspenseful thriller, she goes undercover to pose as a murder victim who looked exactly like her.
The novel starts with Rebus on trial but given his long association in various forms with Big Ger Cafferty maybe not a huge surprise! Siobhan meanwhile is working on a case that involves officers at Tynecastle police station long known to be rotten to the core but as yet unproven. However, as Malcolm Fox is also on the case and knowing his dogged nature then maybe certain officers should be hot under the collar. Fmr. Officer Haggard has been threatening to bring all those hidden sins out in the open if charges against him for domestic abuse are not dropped. Then he is found murdered in an apartment he could ill afford. How did Haggard afford that apartment and who rented it to him? More important is who killed him and why? As fans of Rebus know he doesn’t always do things the right way but he does do them for the right reasons. As the plot unfolds there are several strands going on but as usual Ian Rankin handles this with aplomb. It’s a complex but highly entertaining novel, how could it be anything else if John Rebus is involved. As for Brillo the dog, Brillo by nature! Walter R Brooks, who created Mister Ed, the talking horse, wrote 26 books about Freddy and the other animals on the Bean family farm. Humans own the farm, but the animals help with both farmwork and housework. Imagine fluffy bunnies as dustcloths.
Great Deal 
New Comment