It seems like absolutely no time since I was in the kitchen listening to an interview with Ian Rankin on the radio. So it was a wee bit of a shock to me to realise that it must have been a 2009 interview, as the book he was plugging at the time was The Complaints, the first in a new series. The next thing I heard was that he was bringing back Rebus in his most recently published book and that it’s also his third Malcolm Fox book. I thought I’d better start reading the Malcolm Fox series before it gets out of hand and he has written 20 of them.
I managed to borrow the Complaints from the library. It’s set mainly in Edinburgh, as you would expect and Malcolm Fox is the main character. He’s a detective working in the Complaints section of the Lothian Police, they investigate other policemen and are deeply despised by all of their so-called colleagues. Fox is described as a bear of a man, although he has lost weight recently and he is also a recovering alcoholic. He’s not exactly popular, even amongst the other Complaints and Conduct detectives.
I really didn’t feel that I was enjoying this book until I was almost half way into it, I think that was mainly because I was missing Rebus and I kept imagining Fox as the Rebus character but eventually I got over that and I ended up enjoying The Complaints more than the Rebus books, mind you, I think I’ve only read about four of those.
The action takes place over just 17 days in 2009. Malcolm Fox has been told to investigate Jamie Breck, a young detective who has been ear-marked for fast-tracking to the top. There’s plenty going on in and around Edinburgh, murders and disappearances, dodgy business dealings and corrupt council officials and nobody knows who they can trust. It’s difficult to figure out who are the good guys and there are plenty of twists and turns in this book, I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the Fox series.
It’s easy to see that the nefarious goings-on of Edinburgh Council give Ian Rankin loads of copy!
My Library actually has this book! I just put Rebus videos in my netflix que.
Peggy Ann,
When they started doing the Rebus books for TV they had the actor John Hannah as Rebus but he wasn’t right for the part. I think Ken Stott is much better, hope you enjoy them.
Katrina you should link post to Crime Fiction Alphabet It goes up on Monday and you have until Fri. to post each week. Has to be a crime related novel with a letter of the alphabet for each week. This week is E. Next Monday will be F. Can be in the title or an authors name with that letter. You can post about an author or a book you read. I’m finding all kinds of new authors in this meme. You can also use old reviews you’ve already done. Thats what I have done this week.
Peggy Ann,
I’ve thought about doing the crime alphabet meme, but never got around to it. I must see what I can do for E or F.
I enjoyed The Complaints too. Actually I liked it more than the Rebus books, but I didn’t think the second Fox book was quite as good as the first. I was pleased to hear Ian Rankin is bringing Rebus back and even more pleased that it’s in a Fox book.
Margaret,
I agree, it was better than the Rebus books, shame the second one wasn’t as enjoyable. I hope to get a copy of it soon though so I can read it before book three in the series.
Do you also like to read mystery series in order? I try to,especially in Donna Leon’s Inspector Brunetti books,Colin Dexter’s Morse and Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache books. My “literary” book group thinks it’s silly.I remind them it has to do w/character development and family relationships.
Lorraine,
I agree completely, it can make a big difference if you don’t know about something which has happened in a previous book. I try to read any books in order of their publication. I haven’t read anything by Donna Leon or Colin Dexter yet although I’ve probably seen every episode of Morse about ten times.
Same here w/Morse. I get the DVDs from the library. Don’t know why I never read Rankin.Good heavens, if I want to start from the beginning, I have 20+ books to read! Think I’ll start with The Complaints and The Impossible Dead, and THEN start the Rebus series. Donna Leon novels feature Venice, the govt.,acqua alta,Italian families, immigration, etc. If you like “setting” in mysteries as I do, you’ll like this series.
http://www.stopyourekillingme.com is a good website for mysteries.
Haven’t read Rankin, in spite of hearing so much about him. Would it be be better to start with Rebus though?
Pearl,
No, I don’t think it is necessary to start with Rebus, although he is going to be making an appearance in the third Malcolm Fox book, presumably he’s needed in some way, probably an old case is being looked into.