Ian Rankin is another local author as he was born in Cardenden, Fife just a few miles from where I live and I thought it was about time I got around to reading something by him. The Rebus books have been dramatised for tv and I always watch them. I usually stick to vintage crime books but I did really enjoy this one.
Set in Edinburgh of course, and it’s nice to be able to drive and walk around the place in your mind if you know the city. Detective Inspector John Rebus’s police station has been closed down and the resulting reorganisation means that Rebus doesn’t even have a desk in his new station. It’s a big hint from the top brass that they want him to retire but Rebus has no intention of doing so.
When a murder victim is discovered in Knoxland, a rough housing-scheme, Rebus and his side-kick Siobhan have the task of finding out who he is before they can even start to find the murderer. During the investigation they uncover an illegal immigrant operation and the whole thing becomes quite convoluted with several different crimes being looked into.
Amongst other things, this is a book about the terrible plight of asylum-seekers and their exploitation. But it isn’t all doom and gloom and there are flashes of dry comedy here and there.
Ian Rankin does seem to have a thing about half-moon glasses. I’m sure that there were three minor female characters in this book who were described as being about 50 and wearing half-moon glasses. I haven’t seen anyone with those for absolutely years.
It’s a fairly large book at 399 pages but it flows easily so it didn’t take long to read. I tried to read Rankin’s first book years ago and I gave up because, if I’m remembering correctly, it was cliched and I didn’t like the style at all. However I heard recently that Ian Rankin described his earlier work as not being great, so I thought I should give him another go. I’m glad I did and I will read more of his work now.
You might want to take a look at his official website here.
According to the blurb his books are bestsellers on several continents and have been translated into 22 languages. He lives in Edinburgh now!
On a personal note, I just wish that he hadn’t given the housing estate the name of Knoxland because that was the name of the primary school that I went to. It was supposed to be THE school in the west of Scotland town that I grew up in, so has completely different connotations for me.
Katrina,
I’ve been wanting to read something by Ian Rankin for my personal Scottish literary challenge, but I haven’t had any guidance. Do you have any clues, any websites that I should consult, or a book I should try?
Judith (Reader in the Wilderness)
Judith,
I thought that you might be interested in reading something by Rankin. I think you would enjoy the Rebus series and as it isn’t necessary to read them in order you should try the later ones first.
I’m going to read Set In Darkness next because I like the sound of the plot. You can read about it in the first link on my post. I hope the teaching is going well.
Katrina,
I will visit Ian Rankin’s website and then search for a later title in the Rebus series in my regional library system. I will love comparing notes with you about it, though I still have The Small Room by May Sarton to read!
Judith,
I’m still waiting for The Small Room to arrive in the post. Surely it’ll arrive tomorrow! I see that you’re books are taking their time in turning up too. Let me know which Rankin book you are going to borrow and I will try to get the same one out.
Whoop-de-doop, the sun came out for a few hours today!
Katrina,
I’m going to read Rankin’s Let It Bleed. Have you read this one? It would be wonderful to read one with you.
I’m going to be doing a post focusing on people’s reads for the rest of 2010. Times a flyin’! Can you believe how little time is left in this year?
But I am determined to read Ian Rankin THIS YEAR. If you’ve already read this acclaimed title, I’ll choose another.
Best to you, and thank goodness you had a bit of sun,
Judith
Judith,
I haven’t read Let It Bleed, so I’ll get it from the library and we can read it together.
I can never get over how quickly the time goes nowadays. It’s a sign of getting old apparently!
I’m going to be reading Willa Cather’s Death Comes for the Archbishop soon as I just got a ‘phone call from the library asking me to collect it. I bet you’ve already read it.
Best wishes,
Katrina
Katrina,
Okay! I’ll get a hold of a copy of Let It Bleed ASAP. I’m moving quickly through The Small Room, so I should be able to get to the Rankin fairly soon, though The Small Room is so good I hate to see it slip away so quickly! At least it’s hitting a solemn chord with me these days.
Judith
Judith,
I got Let It Bleed from the library yesterday and The Small Room came in the post this morning, so I’m going to start the May Sarton one tonight. I’m glad you’re enjoying it, if that is the right word!
Katrina