What do you think?
Rate this book
Inspector Rebus #14
A Question of Blood
A shooting incident at a private school just north of Edinburgh. Two seventeen-year olds killed by an ex-Army loner who has gone off the rails. As Detective Inspector John Rebus puts it, 'there's no mystery'...except the why. But this question takes Rebus into the heart of a shattered community. Ex-Army himself, Rebus becomes fascinated by the killer, and finds he is not alone. Army investigators are on the scene, and won't be shaken off. The killer had friends and enemies to spare - ranging from civic leaders to the local Goths - leaving behind a legacy of secrets and lies. Rebus has more than his share of personal problems, too. He's fresh out of hospital, hands heavily bandaged, and he won't say how it happened. Could there be a connection with a house-fire and the unfortunate death of a petty criminal who had been harrassing Rebus's colleague Siobhan Clarke? Rebus's bosses seem to think so...
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
867 people are currently reading
3581 people want to read
About the author
Ian Rankin
424 books6,547 followersAKA Jack Harvey.
Born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960, Ian Rankin graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982 and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Literature. His first Rebus novel was published in 1987; the Rebus books are now translated into 22 languages and are bestsellers on several continents.
Ian Rankin has been elected a Hawthornden Fellow. He is also a past winner of the Chandler-Fulbright Award, and he received two Dagger Awards for the year's best short story and the Gold Dagger for Fiction. Ian Rankin is also the recipient of honorary degrees from the universities of Abertay, St Andrews, and Edinburgh.
A contributor to BBC2's Newsnight Review, he also presented his own TV series, Ian Rankin's Evil Thoughts, on Channel 4 in 2002. He recently received the OBE for services to literature, and opted to receive the prize in his home city of Edinburgh, where he lives with his partner and two sons.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ianrankin
Born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960, Ian Rankin graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982 and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Literature. His first Rebus novel was published in 1987; the Rebus books are now translated into 22 languages and are bestsellers on several continents.
Ian Rankin has been elected a Hawthornden Fellow. He is also a past winner of the Chandler-Fulbright Award, and he received two Dagger Awards for the year's best short story and the Gold Dagger for Fiction. Ian Rankin is also the recipient of honorary degrees from the universities of Abertay, St Andrews, and Edinburgh.
A contributor to BBC2's Newsnight Review, he also presented his own TV series, Ian Rankin's Evil Thoughts, on Channel 4 in 2002. He recently received the OBE for services to literature, and opted to receive the prize in his home city of Edinburgh, where he lives with his partner and two sons.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ianrankin
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 559 reviews
June 18, 2024
This was a great Rebus. I Remember the tv show with Ken Stott who I will always see as Rebus. Rebus is still relatively in his prime with his usual acerbic wit and heavy smoking. In this story we find him recovering with his hands in bandages after a guy who threatened Siobhan is found burned to death. Are the injuries to his hands burns or scalds?
Two boys are shot and killed at a public school. One of whom is related to Rebus. The perpetrator is ex SAS. So Rebus is asked to assist in the investigation given his background. Great storyline. But it’s Rebus’ wit and musical choice I can relate to. Unfortunately no mention of Joy Division this time.
‘Any ashtrays around here?’ Rebus asked.
‘No, sir. Smoking’s not allowed.’
‘That was more information than I needed.’
‘Is there so much as a kettle?’
‘No, sir.’ The constable paused. ‘Neighbours sometimes drop off a flask or a bit of cake.’
‘Any chance of that happening in the next ten minutes?’
At this stage book 14 in 2003 Rebus is still ageing gracefully like Harry Bosch. Sadly both to physically decline later. Must hunt more Rebus…and Bosch.
Two boys are shot and killed at a public school. One of whom is related to Rebus. The perpetrator is ex SAS. So Rebus is asked to assist in the investigation given his background. Great storyline. But it’s Rebus’ wit and musical choice I can relate to. Unfortunately no mention of Joy Division this time.
‘Any ashtrays around here?’ Rebus asked.
‘No, sir. Smoking’s not allowed.’
‘That was more information than I needed.’
‘Is there so much as a kettle?’
‘No, sir.’ The constable paused. ‘Neighbours sometimes drop off a flask or a bit of cake.’
‘Any chance of that happening in the next ten minutes?’
At this stage book 14 in 2003 Rebus is still ageing gracefully like Harry Bosch. Sadly both to physically decline later. Must hunt more Rebus…and Bosch.
June 30, 2017
The 14th book in the Rebus series. This novel delivers and it's packed with plots and events. When a man who was menacing DS Siobhan Clarke is found dead in a fire; all eyes and fingers are pointing to DI Rebus and his suspension is imminent. Yet at the same time, a lone gunman enters a school and shoot and kills two students and injured a third one... why would a soldier go into a school and shoot some students ...
A solid novel, Rankin doing it again and delivering a novel that's interesting both in its police procedure and it as a social commentary about generational gap, lost children and the effect of pop culture, technology.
A solid novel, Rankin doing it again and delivering a novel that's interesting both in its police procedure and it as a social commentary about generational gap, lost children and the effect of pop culture, technology.
July 12, 2019
It's been five years since I last visited with Edinburgh police inspector, John Rebus and his partner, Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke. Much too long a time. A Question of Blood by Ian Rankin is the 14th book in this excellent series and it was as engrossing and enjoyable as the other 13.
In Question, we find Rebus once again treading in thin waters (hmm, not sure but I might be mixing metaphors). DS Clarke has been harassed and stalked by a petty criminal. This man has been found burned to death in a house fire in his home. Unfortunately, Rebus has been seen with him the night of the fire and for some reason, Rebus is suffering from burns to his hands (re Mr. Rebus, he scalded them in hot water). An investigation is being launched into the incident by his boss, DCI Gill Templar and the Complaints Division.
While this is going on, old friend DI Bobby Hogan has asked for Rebus's assistance in another case. An ex-SAS man has entered a local school and killed two students, wounded another and then shot himself. Since Rebus was in the military and almost passed the tests to become an SAS man himself, Hogan feels he might be able to provide assistance in determining the motive for this shooting. Two SAS personnel, Whiteread and Simms show up to stir things up and as well, a local politician, whose son was wounded, sticks in his oar, trying to grandstand the issue.
Already sounds neat, eh? Well it is. Rebus is one of my favorite crusty, irascible, effective cops and I have a bit of a crush on his partner. We get to see both of them in equal amounts and that's just fine. They are a fascinating team and work well together; one playing off the other. There is genuine affection between them, even though Rebus quite regularly tests the bounds of their friendship. The cases are both interesting and often events and suspects and characters are intertwined. I like Bobby Hogan and long suffering Gill Templar both as well. It's an entertaining mystery, with enough action to keep you satisfied and Rankin is skilled at establishing the mood and in describing the Edinburgh scene. Satisfying mystery and excellent story. (4 stars)
In Question, we find Rebus once again treading in thin waters (hmm, not sure but I might be mixing metaphors). DS Clarke has been harassed and stalked by a petty criminal. This man has been found burned to death in a house fire in his home. Unfortunately, Rebus has been seen with him the night of the fire and for some reason, Rebus is suffering from burns to his hands (re Mr. Rebus, he scalded them in hot water). An investigation is being launched into the incident by his boss, DCI Gill Templar and the Complaints Division.
While this is going on, old friend DI Bobby Hogan has asked for Rebus's assistance in another case. An ex-SAS man has entered a local school and killed two students, wounded another and then shot himself. Since Rebus was in the military and almost passed the tests to become an SAS man himself, Hogan feels he might be able to provide assistance in determining the motive for this shooting. Two SAS personnel, Whiteread and Simms show up to stir things up and as well, a local politician, whose son was wounded, sticks in his oar, trying to grandstand the issue.
Already sounds neat, eh? Well it is. Rebus is one of my favorite crusty, irascible, effective cops and I have a bit of a crush on his partner. We get to see both of them in equal amounts and that's just fine. They are a fascinating team and work well together; one playing off the other. There is genuine affection between them, even though Rebus quite regularly tests the bounds of their friendship. The cases are both interesting and often events and suspects and characters are intertwined. I like Bobby Hogan and long suffering Gill Templar both as well. It's an entertaining mystery, with enough action to keep you satisfied and Rankin is skilled at establishing the mood and in describing the Edinburgh scene. Satisfying mystery and excellent story. (4 stars)
August 13, 2022
This is he 14th adventure of John Rebus, a police detective in Edinburgh, Scotland. Rebus is a somewhat dark, occasionally violent, always acerbic, hard working copper. He is also usually in trouble with his superiors for crossing some line or breaking some rule that he – and the reader – usually finds both aggravating and irrelevant. A bull in a china shop may be overstating his actions but Rebus is driven to stop bad guys one way or the other. That he is not a one dimensional cardboard protagonist is a credit to the author – especially after fourteen books
Rankin’s books have a tendency to start slow – not this one. The book opens with an ex-soldier entering a school, shooting three students, killing two of them, and then turning the gun on himself - Sounds straightforward but it’s not. Rebus, with his partner Siobhan Clarke, begins investigating and it soon becomes apparent there is much more to this case than meets the eye, i.e. a madman with a gun.
There’s also a sub-plot in the background – Rebus in trouble again – he’s under suspicion of murder; a minor criminal who had been stalking Clarke is found dead, burned in an apartment fire, and Rebus shows up with heavily bandaged hands the following morning.
Although the case – or cases - is central to this book – what drives the narrative, as in the previous Rebus books, are the secondary characters – Rebus’ buddy who is in charge of the school shooting case, the surviving shooting victim and his opportunistic politician father, the other victims’ families, the suspects, an investigative duo from the army, (whom Rebus doesn’t trust) and the Internal Affairs team dogging Rebus. The reader becomes just as involved – or more - with these folks, as in the solving of the case. I would also be remiss in not mentioning the author’s ability to capture the environs of Scotland which fit Rebus like a glove; one could never imagine him working and living anywhere else.
A Question of Blood is an excellent book which is part of an excellent series.
Rankin’s books have a tendency to start slow – not this one. The book opens with an ex-soldier entering a school, shooting three students, killing two of them, and then turning the gun on himself - Sounds straightforward but it’s not. Rebus, with his partner Siobhan Clarke, begins investigating and it soon becomes apparent there is much more to this case than meets the eye, i.e. a madman with a gun.
There’s also a sub-plot in the background – Rebus in trouble again – he’s under suspicion of murder; a minor criminal who had been stalking Clarke is found dead, burned in an apartment fire, and Rebus shows up with heavily bandaged hands the following morning.
Although the case – or cases - is central to this book – what drives the narrative, as in the previous Rebus books, are the secondary characters – Rebus’ buddy who is in charge of the school shooting case, the surviving shooting victim and his opportunistic politician father, the other victims’ families, the suspects, an investigative duo from the army, (whom Rebus doesn’t trust) and the Internal Affairs team dogging Rebus. The reader becomes just as involved – or more - with these folks, as in the solving of the case. I would also be remiss in not mentioning the author’s ability to capture the environs of Scotland which fit Rebus like a glove; one could never imagine him working and living anywhere else.
A Question of Blood is an excellent book which is part of an excellent series.
October 12, 2024
A cracking Rebus where everything is not what it seems. This is fourteenth Inspector Rebus novel. A shoot at a private school results in two seventeen-year-olds apparently being killed by an ex-Army SAS loner who has snapped.
Rebus is asked by his friend and colleague Bobby Hogan to give insights into why the ex-army Lee killed two teenagers and wounded James Bell an MEP’s son. Rebus becomes fascinated by the killer, and finds he is not alone with two army investigators also investigating. There are lots of secrets and lies.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Rebus is also under investigation over the death of a lowlife who threatened Siobhan. Gladstone died in a chip fire and Rebus has scalded hands the day after.Rebus has more than his share of personal problems, too. He won’t say how he hurt his hands.
The story is excellent with James Bell the actual killer with a motive of jealousy over a girl. Drugs planted by Lee’s friend result in another death. Diamonds, drugs and guns and intrigue result in an enthralling story.
Rebus is asked by his friend and colleague Bobby Hogan to give insights into why the ex-army Lee killed two teenagers and wounded James Bell an MEP’s son. Rebus becomes fascinated by the killer, and finds he is not alone with two army investigators also investigating. There are lots of secrets and lies.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Rebus is also under investigation over the death of a lowlife who threatened Siobhan. Gladstone died in a chip fire and Rebus has scalded hands the day after.Rebus has more than his share of personal problems, too. He won’t say how he hurt his hands.
The story is excellent with James Bell the actual killer with a motive of jealousy over a girl. Drugs planted by Lee’s friend result in another death. Diamonds, drugs and guns and intrigue result in an enthralling story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2020
Inspector Rebus mystery No. 14: Rebus is the last man to see a tied up and burnt corpse of a petty criminal who had previously assaulted Siobhan... and Rebus is walking around with bandaged hands! This is revealed before the main(?) case of an ex SAS soldier walking into a private school and killing two pupils! This is the pinnacle of the many crime/detective series I have read, this one stands alone. A Question Of Blood is, as the title suggests essentially about families, Rebus' family and also his relationship and loyalty that he extends to his close friends, akin to a family; and in addition the ties and dysfunction that permeates through the families of the suspects and victims in this book. Best book of the series! 8 out of 12
Want to read
October 23, 2018This Orion hardcover is signed by Ian Rankin.
August 12, 2010
This is one of the better entries in Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus series, which in turn is one of the best crime fiction series going. The always cantankerous Rebus is asked to assist in the investigation of a particularly horrible crime. An ex-serviceman has invaded a school, shot and killed two students and wounded a third before taking his own life.
The case seems open and shut, but Rebus will not let the matter rest until he knows what prompted the killer to act. As is usually the case, Rebus alienates a lot of people along the way, including his own superiors and a particularly grating, publicity-seeking politician.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the fact that Rebus finds himself suspect in the murder of a petty criminal who had been harassing Rebus's partner and protégé, Siobhan Clarke. Suspended for the duration of the inquiry, Rebus refuses to go quietly. Assisted by Siobhan, he continues to pursue the investigation while at the same time ducking his superiors and the investigators from internal affairs.
All in all typical Rebus, and typical Rankin--an excellent read.
The case seems open and shut, but Rebus will not let the matter rest until he knows what prompted the killer to act. As is usually the case, Rebus alienates a lot of people along the way, including his own superiors and a particularly grating, publicity-seeking politician.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the fact that Rebus finds himself suspect in the murder of a petty criminal who had been harassing Rebus's partner and protégé, Siobhan Clarke. Suspended for the duration of the inquiry, Rebus refuses to go quietly. Assisted by Siobhan, he continues to pursue the investigation while at the same time ducking his superiors and the investigators from internal affairs.
All in all typical Rebus, and typical Rankin--an excellent read.
June 26, 2020
A Question of Blood Ian Rankin, this took awhile for me to digest, I kept thinking of that serpent that curls around on itself and eats its own tail, had to look that bs up..it's the ouroboros or uroboros let me expand that train of thought, this is a tough gut wrenching story which starts out, not a who-dunnit but a why-dunnit but as the story unfolds into the nitty gritty it slowly turns on itself and goes back to be a whodunnit. The end well it's a shocker lets just leave it at that.
September 22, 2019
Edinburgh’s infamous D.I. John Rebus must find out why an ex-army loner walks into a private school and shoots three people dead, including himself.
Scotland wants new gun control laws. The police believe the crime to be a post-traumatic, stress-related shooting. Rebus has a military past and he doesn't agree. He believes the killer was after the victims as he identifies links between them. Two military investigators in plain clothes arrive and convince Rebus he’s on the right track.
However, he is investigated as a suspect in the murder of a petty criminal who stalked Siobhan Clark, his sidekick. The sexual tension between the two is there, as always. He dodges Internal Affairs, bucking the system.
He puts his superiors’ noses out of joint as well as those of local politicians. His love life is in its usual shambles, he fails to make his doctor’s appointments and he takes his usual beating with stoicism.
Scotland wants new gun control laws. The police believe the crime to be a post-traumatic, stress-related shooting. Rebus has a military past and he doesn't agree. He believes the killer was after the victims as he identifies links between them. Two military investigators in plain clothes arrive and convince Rebus he’s on the right track.
However, he is investigated as a suspect in the murder of a petty criminal who stalked Siobhan Clark, his sidekick. The sexual tension between the two is there, as always. He dodges Internal Affairs, bucking the system.
He puts his superiors’ noses out of joint as well as those of local politicians. His love life is in its usual shambles, he fails to make his doctor’s appointments and he takes his usual beating with stoicism.
January 30, 2018
A Question of Blood by Ian Rankin.
Inspector Rebus has been accused of possibly being involved in the murder of Martin Fairstone. Fairstone was found burned to death while tied to a chair. Rebus's hands had been severely scorched and remain bandaged leaving the detective in considerable pain. It was thought to be a revenge killing for threatening Detective Siobhan Clarke, rebus's partner.
Two boys at a private school had been shot to death and another wounded by Lee Herdman. Herdman had stormed into the school with no other motive for the killings except madness.
I enjoy so much more than just the story in the Rebus series. The love of the Edinburgh area of Scotland comes across in each and every novel. The roads, pubs and quite frankly the camaraderie add so much to these books. Then the mystery which turns out to be just the surface and the depth of the actual motive(s) appear later...much later in the book.
Inspector Rebus has been accused of possibly being involved in the murder of Martin Fairstone. Fairstone was found burned to death while tied to a chair. Rebus's hands had been severely scorched and remain bandaged leaving the detective in considerable pain. It was thought to be a revenge killing for threatening Detective Siobhan Clarke, rebus's partner.
Two boys at a private school had been shot to death and another wounded by Lee Herdman. Herdman had stormed into the school with no other motive for the killings except madness.
I enjoy so much more than just the story in the Rebus series. The love of the Edinburgh area of Scotland comes across in each and every novel. The roads, pubs and quite frankly the camaraderie add so much to these books. Then the mystery which turns out to be just the surface and the depth of the actual motive(s) appear later...much later in the book.
April 30, 2024
Perhaps it's a matter of idiosyncratic tastes, but I thoroughly enjoy protagonists that are irascible, flawed, and willing to bend the rules in order to get to the real truth of the matter. Rebus is the epitome of just such a character.
Ian Rankin has crafted a steadily entertaining series in the Inspector Rebus books, although I'm partial to the earlier rather than the later entries. I much prefer those featuring a younger, more active Rebus than an older, less healthy one. This is a good example of that, and it's always fun to watch him operate on the outskirts of what's permitted as he investigates, cajoles, and occasionally bullies his way to the truth.
And as a bonus we finally see his affection for his partner and protege, Siobhan Clarke, come to the fore. Too say more would be to spoil it; just trust me, it's rewarding, albeit briefly so.
The plot is sufficiently complicated, the dialogue believable, and the humor, though somewhat dark, is liberally sprinkled throughout. This is one of Rankin's better installments (as I said, the earlier in the series, the better), and I'm glad I managed to include it in my rotation this go-'round.
One might suggest beginning at the beginning of this series in order to get a full sense of Rebus' development and arc. A series that is sometimes inconsistent, but never really dull. A strong 4 star novel.
Ian Rankin has crafted a steadily entertaining series in the Inspector Rebus books, although I'm partial to the earlier rather than the later entries. I much prefer those featuring a younger, more active Rebus than an older, less healthy one. This is a good example of that, and it's always fun to watch him operate on the outskirts of what's permitted as he investigates, cajoles, and occasionally bullies his way to the truth.
And as a bonus we finally see his affection for his partner and protege, Siobhan Clarke, come to the fore. Too say more would be to spoil it; just trust me, it's rewarding, albeit briefly so.
The plot is sufficiently complicated, the dialogue believable, and the humor, though somewhat dark, is liberally sprinkled throughout. This is one of Rankin's better installments (as I said, the earlier in the series, the better), and I'm glad I managed to include it in my rotation this go-'round.
One might suggest beginning at the beginning of this series in order to get a full sense of Rebus' development and arc. A series that is sometimes inconsistent, but never really dull. A strong 4 star novel.
July 17, 2020
I really enjoy the John Rebus series but sad to say, this one was just not up to Rankin's standard. Way too much confusing plot which is all over the place and nothing seems to tie the story together It is also terribly far fetched in a usually straight forward detective story and good luck trying to figure exactly what is going on. This is one Rebus book I cannot recommend.
August 30, 2019
What appears to be yet another tragically senseless school shooting is actually more than meets the eye.
This is number 14 in the inspector Rebus series, and perhaps this explains my less than flattering review, which I can sum up in 2 words - ho hum. It may also explain the little or no character development and the weakly contrived plots with a twist at the end that is unsatisfying and not very believable.
Even with two parallel plots, the book could not hold my interest well enough to enjoy it - there seemed to be a lack of urgency in either of the plots.
Occurring throughout are frequent petty incidents that have no bearing on the plot and only serve to slacken the tension. Also, there is excessive road mapping and bar/restaurant description.
Once again, I've encountered the "series syndrome," where the author builds a fan base that unquestionably buy and read, and actually enjoy these insipid books that no one else would, only because the same characters appear, while the author is laughing all the way to the bank.
I've been fairly negative in my recent review of crime/detective books. This might be a sign that I need a break from them, particularly series that target die-hard fans. So maybe the book isn't all that bad. Perhaps it's just me.
This is number 14 in the inspector Rebus series, and perhaps this explains my less than flattering review, which I can sum up in 2 words - ho hum. It may also explain the little or no character development and the weakly contrived plots with a twist at the end that is unsatisfying and not very believable.
Even with two parallel plots, the book could not hold my interest well enough to enjoy it - there seemed to be a lack of urgency in either of the plots.
Occurring throughout are frequent petty incidents that have no bearing on the plot and only serve to slacken the tension. Also, there is excessive road mapping and bar/restaurant description.
Once again, I've encountered the "series syndrome," where the author builds a fan base that unquestionably buy and read, and actually enjoy these insipid books that no one else would, only because the same characters appear, while the author is laughing all the way to the bank.
I've been fairly negative in my recent review of crime/detective books. This might be a sign that I need a break from them, particularly series that target die-hard fans. So maybe the book isn't all that bad. Perhaps it's just me.
June 6, 2018
NOTHING is ever simple in an Ian Rankin novel, but THIS one was among the most complicated and surprising ones I've read. When a posh private school experiences a gunman who seems, at random, to have killed two students and wounded a third one before turning the gun on himself, the assumption is made that it is a cut and dried case. Rebus is on the hot seat after a frying pan fire causes the death of a thug who was harassing Siobhan, a member of his team, and a special friend. It doesn't help that his hands are badly burned - a result of putting them in scalding water - or so he says. The school murders aren't in his patch, but an old friend, Bobby Hogan, specifically requests Rebus, and, by extension, Siobhan. Soon it's obvious that there is more to this than meets the eye. The gunman, a former member of an elite British army unit, is considered unstable. He left his wife and children after leaving the army unexpectedly. He has an expensive boat and drugs are found in his boat shed. Also the army is sniffing around about a helicopter that crashed. The gunman was a member of the group that investigated the crash. He apparently took something away with him. Then there's the guy who operates a flying school and corporate jet. Something doesn't add up for Rebus. Plus he is also trying to clear his name and soon discovers a connection to the case. This one really took me by surprise. The ending was a complete shock. I have one more Rebus to read, and then I'll be caught up in the series. I'm looking forward to his next book.
January 3, 2017
Ας ξεκινήσουμε τη χρονιά με μια ξεχασμένη κριτική από το 2016…
Πολύ καλό αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα, το οποίο χωρίς να ξεφεύγει από τις γνωστές νόρμες των αντίστοιχων βιβλίων, καταφέρνει να ξεχωρίσει και να γίνει σημείο αναφοράς. Ο Ράνκιν γράφει πολύ ωραία και στρωτά και σε βάζει μέσα στον κόσμο του βιβλίου, σαν να ζεις από κοντά και τις 5 μέρες που περιγράφει στην ιστορία του.
Οι χαρακτήρες αποτυπώνονται με ακρίβεια με κυρίαρχο τον επιθεωρητή Ρέμπους - ο οποίος σαν μορφή θυμίζει λίγο τον Χάρι Χόλε του Νέσμπο - ένας αστυνομικός με πολύ ενδιαφέρον και στις ενέργειές του και στον τρόπο που μιλάει ή συμπεριφέρεται, δυναμικός, αψύς και ευθύς αλλά γεμάτος συναισθήματα.
Στα υπέρ του βιβλίου - πέρα από την καθηλωτική γραφή που ήδη εκθείασα – οι γρήγοροι, εύστοχοι και εύστροφοι διάλογοι όλων των χαρακτήρων, οι όμορφες περιγραφές σκηνών και τόπων, η αποφυγή ατοπημάτων, ευκολιών και υπερβολών που δεν επέτρεψαν στη ροή του βιβλίου να κάνει ‘κοιλιά’, και το κλιμακούμενο σασπένς που οδηγεί σε ένα ανατρεπτικό φινάλε (όσο κι αν ο αναγνώστης μπορεί να το έχει ψιλο-υποψιαστεί).
Να επισημάνω, επίσης, ότι είναι το πρώτο βιβλίο με τον Ρέμπους που διαβάζω, αλλά αυτό δεν με απέτρεψε από το να μπω αμέσως στο κλίμα του βιβλίου, παρότι θεωρώ ότι αν είχα πάρει από την αρχή τη σειρά θα είχα καταλάβει καλύτερα τα ζόρια που τραβάει ο ήρωάς μας.
Σίγουρα θα διαβάσω και άλλα της σειράς αν μου δοθεί η ευκαιρία (αν και νομίζω ότι έχει φτάσει ήδη τα 20 βιβλία!!!) (7/10)
Πολύ καλό αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα, το οποίο χωρίς να ξεφεύγει από τις γνωστές νόρμες των αντίστοιχων βιβλίων, καταφέρνει να ξεχωρίσει και να γίνει σημείο αναφοράς. Ο Ράνκιν γράφει πολύ ωραία και στρωτά και σε βάζει μέσα στον κόσμο του βιβλίου, σαν να ζεις από κοντά και τις 5 μέρες που περιγράφει στην ιστορία του.
Οι χαρακτήρες αποτυπώνονται με ακρίβεια με κυρίαρχο τον επιθεωρητή Ρέμπους - ο οποίος σαν μορφή θυμίζει λίγο τον Χάρι Χόλε του Νέσμπο - ένας αστυνομικός με πολύ ενδιαφέρον και στις ενέργειές του και στον τρόπο που μιλάει ή συμπεριφέρεται, δυναμικός, αψύς και ευθύς αλλά γεμάτος συναισθήματα.
Στα υπέρ του βιβλίου - πέρα από την καθηλωτική γραφή που ήδη εκθείασα – οι γρήγοροι, εύστοχοι και εύστροφοι διάλογοι όλων των χαρακτήρων, οι όμορφες περιγραφές σκηνών και τόπων, η αποφυγή ατοπημάτων, ευκολιών και υπερβολών που δεν επέτρεψαν στη ροή του βιβλίου να κάνει ‘κοιλιά’, και το κλιμακούμενο σασπένς που οδηγεί σε ένα ανατρεπτικό φινάλε (όσο κι αν ο αναγνώστης μπορεί να το έχει ψιλο-υποψιαστεί).
Να επισημάνω, επίσης, ότι είναι το πρώτο βιβλίο με τον Ρέμπους που διαβάζω, αλλά αυτό δεν με απέτρεψε από το να μπω αμέσως στο κλίμα του βιβλίου, παρότι θεωρώ ότι αν είχα πάρει από την αρχή τη σειρά θα είχα καταλάβει καλύτερα τα ζόρια που τραβάει ο ήρωάς μας.
Σίγουρα θα διαβάσω και άλλα της σειράς αν μου δοθεί η ευκαιρία (αν και νομίζω ότι έχει φτάσει ήδη τα 20 βιβλία!!!) (7/10)
June 22, 2025
Another very good Inspector John Rebus novel. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Most of all I didn't see the twist on the killing of the teenagers almost until Rebus figured it out. Interesting on how everything fits together regarding that and the other main intrigues in the book. Then it got a little squirrely at the very end which kept me at four stars.
May 12, 2018
I have not read one of the Rebus books for quite a space of time. In this case I have been staying in a very quiet lake cottage with only the lapping waves and birdsong notes to interrupt my concentration. All the better to appreciate the perfectly constructed plot and the detecting skills required by our stars. I am not permitted to type their names with the device I am using on this trip, the kindle fire. I give up. Will edit when I get home though that is questionable with airline strike timed for my departure date. Maybe stay in paradise even longer and read another book in this series. Great read!
December 11, 2012
"Não há mistério nenhum."
Acreditem quer não é assim que começa este thriller misterioso que se desenrola na cidade de Edimburgo. Preparem-se porque "Uma Questão de Sangue" é surpreendente até à última página.
"Sangue espalhado pelo chão e pelas paredes. Sangue por todo o lado. Sangue com histórias por contar."
O Caso Port-Edgar tem inicio numa Terça-feira e termina após nove longos dias. Uma escola é o palco de um massacre. Um psicopata faz três vitimas e, em seguida, suicida-se. Um total de três mortos, o que nos deixa um sobrevivente.
O nome do assassino é-nos revelado logo no primeiro parágrafo do livro. Então onde reside o mistério? perguntam-me vocês. É por isso que "Uma Questão de Sangue" é tão especial. É um romance sobre a amizade, a traição, a família e o passado onde nos vemos envolvidos na procura pelos motivos de um acto atroz e, aparentemente, inexplicável.
Esta é uma história sobre um inspector chamado John Rebus. Este elemento das forças policiais, ao lado da sua colega e, acima de tudo, amiga, Siobhan Clarke, esforça-se para aplacar o medo real e asfixiante da sociedade pelos actos criminosos. Portanto, como devem imaginar, ambos contribuem para o bem-estar dos cidadãos da Escócia, ao contrário dos jornalistas. E não me julguem! As minhas conclusões baseiam-se no relato das personagens deste enredo fascinante, ao qual imediatamente me afeiçoei. O sentimento pela nobre - será? - profissão de jornalista é comum nesta obra. Mas dizem eles, um da espécie pelo menos, que são o quarto poder. Mas quem lhes dá credibilidade?
Bobby Hogan, o responsável por esta investigação, pede ajuda ao nosso herói para encontrar respostas para o trágico acontecimento. Rebus, incapacitado fisicamente, arrasta consigo Siobhan para desempenhar as tarefas mais redundantes como conduzir, abrir uma porta ou acender um cigarro. Afinal de contas, o homem não pode usar as suas mãos. Pelo menos é esta a explicação que dá à sua chefe, Gill Templer, que o mantém constantemente debaixo de olho e não o deixa escapar às tão necessárias, segundo ela pensa, repreensões.
A determinada altura "Rebus teve um pensamento terrível: os loucos tinham-se apoderado do asilo, os verdadeiros funcionários eram agora seus prisioneiros, daí o semblante vivo e corado de Billy. Ou isso, ou então andou a mexer no armário dos medicamentos."
Bem, a mim a segunda hipótese pareceu-me a mais plausível e julgo que irão concordar comigo durante a vossa experiência de leitura. E não é só o Billy que aparenta estar sob o efeito de estupefacientes. O humor deliciosamente contagiante das várias personagens torna-as igualmente suspeitas! Divertidas, sim, mas suspeitas de qualquer forma!
Os dois investigadores vêem o seu trabalho dificultado pelos repetitivos confrontos com um membro do parlamento escocês que foi detido numa rusga habitual a um antro de prostituição, com um duo infernal que trabalha para o exército e com um parasita que trabalha como jornalista e insiste obter informações em primeira mão.
"Ele não achava que fosse um vilão, mas também sabia que provavelmente não era um dos bonzinhos." Para mim, esta é a frase que melhor descreve John Rebus, ao mesmo tempo que nos oferece uma ante-visão da qualidade de todo o enredo. Ian Rankin criou um herói de carne e osso, um inspector com uma personalidade real e comportamento e atitudes verdadeiros. Com todos os seus defeitos e virtudes Rebus é um ser humano como todos nós. Longe de ser perfeito, o inspector esconde os seus segredos mais obscuros. Não o fazemos todos?
A normalidade desta narrativa, uma condição aparentemente simples de conferir ao enredo, proporciona-nos uma linha de investigação e mistério que poderiam, sem dúvida alguma, desenrolar-se no mundo real.
Se ficarem com vontade de ler este thriller impressionantemente bem escrito pelo escritor escocês Ian Rankin, não me culpem. Usando as palavras do autor, proferidas por uma das suas magnificamente bem delineadas personagens "só vos posso pedir desculpa e usar em minha defesa o facto de ser de carne e osso."
Acreditem quer não é assim que começa este thriller misterioso que se desenrola na cidade de Edimburgo. Preparem-se porque "Uma Questão de Sangue" é surpreendente até à última página.
"Sangue espalhado pelo chão e pelas paredes. Sangue por todo o lado. Sangue com histórias por contar."
O Caso Port-Edgar tem inicio numa Terça-feira e termina após nove longos dias. Uma escola é o palco de um massacre. Um psicopata faz três vitimas e, em seguida, suicida-se. Um total de três mortos, o que nos deixa um sobrevivente.
O nome do assassino é-nos revelado logo no primeiro parágrafo do livro. Então onde reside o mistério? perguntam-me vocês. É por isso que "Uma Questão de Sangue" é tão especial. É um romance sobre a amizade, a traição, a família e o passado onde nos vemos envolvidos na procura pelos motivos de um acto atroz e, aparentemente, inexplicável.
Esta é uma história sobre um inspector chamado John Rebus. Este elemento das forças policiais, ao lado da sua colega e, acima de tudo, amiga, Siobhan Clarke, esforça-se para aplacar o medo real e asfixiante da sociedade pelos actos criminosos. Portanto, como devem imaginar, ambos contribuem para o bem-estar dos cidadãos da Escócia, ao contrário dos jornalistas. E não me julguem! As minhas conclusões baseiam-se no relato das personagens deste enredo fascinante, ao qual imediatamente me afeiçoei. O sentimento pela nobre - será? - profissão de jornalista é comum nesta obra. Mas dizem eles, um da espécie pelo menos, que são o quarto poder. Mas quem lhes dá credibilidade?
Bobby Hogan, o responsável por esta investigação, pede ajuda ao nosso herói para encontrar respostas para o trágico acontecimento. Rebus, incapacitado fisicamente, arrasta consigo Siobhan para desempenhar as tarefas mais redundantes como conduzir, abrir uma porta ou acender um cigarro. Afinal de contas, o homem não pode usar as suas mãos. Pelo menos é esta a explicação que dá à sua chefe, Gill Templer, que o mantém constantemente debaixo de olho e não o deixa escapar às tão necessárias, segundo ela pensa, repreensões.
A determinada altura "Rebus teve um pensamento terrível: os loucos tinham-se apoderado do asilo, os verdadeiros funcionários eram agora seus prisioneiros, daí o semblante vivo e corado de Billy. Ou isso, ou então andou a mexer no armário dos medicamentos."
Bem, a mim a segunda hipótese pareceu-me a mais plausível e julgo que irão concordar comigo durante a vossa experiência de leitura. E não é só o Billy que aparenta estar sob o efeito de estupefacientes. O humor deliciosamente contagiante das várias personagens torna-as igualmente suspeitas! Divertidas, sim, mas suspeitas de qualquer forma!
Os dois investigadores vêem o seu trabalho dificultado pelos repetitivos confrontos com um membro do parlamento escocês que foi detido numa rusga habitual a um antro de prostituição, com um duo infernal que trabalha para o exército e com um parasita que trabalha como jornalista e insiste obter informações em primeira mão.
"Ele não achava que fosse um vilão, mas também sabia que provavelmente não era um dos bonzinhos." Para mim, esta é a frase que melhor descreve John Rebus, ao mesmo tempo que nos oferece uma ante-visão da qualidade de todo o enredo. Ian Rankin criou um herói de carne e osso, um inspector com uma personalidade real e comportamento e atitudes verdadeiros. Com todos os seus defeitos e virtudes Rebus é um ser humano como todos nós. Longe de ser perfeito, o inspector esconde os seus segredos mais obscuros. Não o fazemos todos?
A normalidade desta narrativa, uma condição aparentemente simples de conferir ao enredo, proporciona-nos uma linha de investigação e mistério que poderiam, sem dúvida alguma, desenrolar-se no mundo real.
Se ficarem com vontade de ler este thriller impressionantemente bem escrito pelo escritor escocês Ian Rankin, não me culpem. Usando as palavras do autor, proferidas por uma das suas magnificamente bem delineadas personagens "só vos posso pedir desculpa e usar em minha defesa o facto de ser de carne e osso."
July 27, 2024
Ένας ακόμα Ρέμπους απ'τον Ράνκιν. Μια ακόμα βρετανική καθαρή αστυνομική ιστορία. Ένα πιστολίδι σε σχολείο και παράλληλα ο Ρέμπους να προσπαθεί να αποδείξει πως δεν ήταν αυτός που σκότωσε τον τύπο που παρενοχλούσε τη συνάδελφο του τη Σιόβαν.
Και όπως πάντα η μουσική και οι σκωτσέζικες παμπ στο φόντο της πλοκής. Συνεχίζουμε.
Και όπως πάντα η μουσική και οι σκωτσέζικες παμπ στο φόντο της πλοκής. Συνεχίζουμε.
November 13, 2018
3.5 stars, rounded up
Another enjoyable outing with Rebus and Siobhan, this time centred around the shooting at a private school in Edinburgh. Rebus also in hot water (literally) regarding the suspicious death of a criminal who had been harassing Siobhan. Lots of twists and turns in this book, as Rebus pursues leads in both cases. Rebus and Siobhan spend lots of time together in this book, with their relationship continuing to develop as Siobhan questions whether being associated with him is good for her career.
A lot to like, recommended for fans of police procedurals with a non-conformist hero.
Another enjoyable outing with Rebus and Siobhan, this time centred around the shooting at a private school in Edinburgh. Rebus also in hot water (literally) regarding the suspicious death of a criminal who had been harassing Siobhan. Lots of twists and turns in this book, as Rebus pursues leads in both cases. Rebus and Siobhan spend lots of time together in this book, with their relationship continuing to develop as Siobhan questions whether being associated with him is good for her career.
A lot to like, recommended for fans of police procedurals with a non-conformist hero.
May 1, 2018
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
I'm torn between quotations to open with, on the one hand, you have this one which captures the environment this novel takes place in -- it's a perfect encapsulation of the frustration of so many civilians. Particularly the ones in the town near the focal crime.
On the other hand, this seems to be the perfect encapsulation of the sentiments of Rebus, Clarke, Hogan and so many (most?) of the police in this novel (and most police novels in general):
So the story is, an ex-SAS soldier walks in to a school, shoots three students and then kills himself. One of the students -- the son of a local politician -- survives. His dad sees this crime as an opportunity to get himself out of some PR trouble and some prominence -- so he keeps popping up in inopportune places to grandstand and shine a negative light on the police. Which goes a long way to make a complicated situation worse for Bobby Hogan -- the detective running the investigation. There's not much to investigate, the only surviving witness has told his story, the culprit is dead -- but there's a lot of why questions floating around, Hogan's got to try to answer some of them. Hogan knows two things: 1. His friend John Rebus was almost an SAS soldier, so he might understand the mindset of this man better than the rest, and 2. Rebus could use an excuse to get out of Edinburgh for a few days. The Army's in town, doing what it can to shape the narrative -- i.e. "this isn't the way we train our men to be, maybe there's something else going on." Hogan's having trouble getting anywhere, the press isn't helping, and the evidence isn't doing wonders for anyone at all.
I liked the fact that we're dealing with Rebus's military past again -- it's largely been untouched (at least to any real depth) since Knots & Crosses, and conversations between Rebus and Clarke show that he hasn't talked to her about it at all. As much as the first book might have helped Rebus deal with some of what happened to him, it's clear that there's more t do. Hopefully, this is the start of it -- at least to help him.
The more this crime is investigated, the less it looks as cut-and-dry as it was at the beginning. This was all wonderfully constructed, a strong multi-layered story that'll keep the reader glued to the action to find out what happened (or why it happened). And it's really not the best part of the novel -- it could've been, easily. But no.
The reason that Rebus could use a few days away from home base is that he has a mysterious injury. One that could have a completely innocent explanation -- or one that puts him at the center of a suspicious death investigation. There's this creep who's been stalking Clarke, threatening her. Rebus is seen at a bar with him one night, and the next day, he's dead and Rebus is getting medical care that suggests he could have been present at the time of death. Clarke and Hogan believe him because he says he didn't do it. Good ol' Gill Templar isn't sure (raising the question: who knows him best? Siobhan or Gill?), and frankly, none of Rebus' legion of enemies in the police or press are less sure than Templar. There's a little question about letting Siobhan fight her own battles rather than take the avuncular and/or misogynistic approach of helping her. The two get past that pretty quickly, but Clarke harbors a doubt or two about Rebus' involvement.
Rebus, actually, wasn't that concerned with protecting Clarke -- he just used that situation to help him with another investigation. Which is typical of him. It's this last story that's really -- in a way -- the center of the whole novel. The events investigated, the motives for a lot of it, and the emotional core are all tied (at the very least) to this story. Rankin's structuring of the novel in this way shows him at his best. And that's really all I can say without ruining the experience for anyone (in fact, I arguably said too much).
Then there's the last chapter == which is all I'm going to say about it -- I'm torn. On the one hand, it seems to undercut a lot of the emotional weight of the climactic moments. But that doesn't mean it wasn't believable. It's probably more believable than the alternative. Still .. . it left me dissatisfied. On the other hand, Rankin seems to be setting us up to revisit many of these characters in the future. I bet that'll be worth it.
It's hard to come up with things to talk about in a series that's 14 books-old. It's got to be hard to come up with things to talk about with a character that's 14 books-old. Which might be part of the reason that Rankin circled back for another look at the end of Rebus' time with the SAS, which definitely could use another look. How he did it -- and the situations the characters found themselves in regarding that case,and all the others going on -- is what makes Ian Rankin the modern legend that he is. A Question of Blood is one of those books that improves, the more you think about it.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
I'm torn between quotations to open with, on the one hand, you have this one which captures the environment this novel takes place in -- it's a perfect encapsulation of the frustration of so many civilians. Particularly the ones in the town near the focal crime.
Fear: the crucial word. Most people would live their whole lives untouched by crime, yet they still feared it, and that fear was real and smothering. The police force existed to allay such fears, yet too often was shown to be fallible, powerless, on hand only after the event, clearing up the mess rather than preventing it.
On the other hand, this seems to be the perfect encapsulation of the sentiments of Rebus, Clarke, Hogan and so many (most?) of the police in this novel (and most police novels in general):
He checked the radio to see if anything bearable was being broadcast, but all he could find were rap and dance. There was a tape in the player, but it was Rory Gallagher, Jinx, and he wasn't in the mood. Seemed to remember one of the tracks was called “The Devil Made Me Do It.” Not much of a defense these days, but plenty of others had come along in Old Nick‘s place. No such thing as an inexplicable crime, not now that there were scientists and psychologists who’d talk about genes and abuse, brain damage and peer pressure. Always a reason . . . always, it seemed, an excuse.
So the story is, an ex-SAS soldier walks in to a school, shoots three students and then kills himself. One of the students -- the son of a local politician -- survives. His dad sees this crime as an opportunity to get himself out of some PR trouble and some prominence -- so he keeps popping up in inopportune places to grandstand and shine a negative light on the police. Which goes a long way to make a complicated situation worse for Bobby Hogan -- the detective running the investigation. There's not much to investigate, the only surviving witness has told his story, the culprit is dead -- but there's a lot of why questions floating around, Hogan's got to try to answer some of them. Hogan knows two things: 1. His friend John Rebus was almost an SAS soldier, so he might understand the mindset of this man better than the rest, and 2. Rebus could use an excuse to get out of Edinburgh for a few days. The Army's in town, doing what it can to shape the narrative -- i.e. "this isn't the way we train our men to be, maybe there's something else going on." Hogan's having trouble getting anywhere, the press isn't helping, and the evidence isn't doing wonders for anyone at all.
I liked the fact that we're dealing with Rebus's military past again -- it's largely been untouched (at least to any real depth) since Knots & Crosses, and conversations between Rebus and Clarke show that he hasn't talked to her about it at all. As much as the first book might have helped Rebus deal with some of what happened to him, it's clear that there's more t do. Hopefully, this is the start of it -- at least to help him.
The more this crime is investigated, the less it looks as cut-and-dry as it was at the beginning. This was all wonderfully constructed, a strong multi-layered story that'll keep the reader glued to the action to find out what happened (or why it happened). And it's really not the best part of the novel -- it could've been, easily. But no.
The reason that Rebus could use a few days away from home base is that he has a mysterious injury. One that could have a completely innocent explanation -- or one that puts him at the center of a suspicious death investigation. There's this creep who's been stalking Clarke, threatening her. Rebus is seen at a bar with him one night, and the next day, he's dead and Rebus is getting medical care that suggests he could have been present at the time of death. Clarke and Hogan believe him because he says he didn't do it. Good ol' Gill Templar isn't sure (raising the question: who knows him best? Siobhan or Gill?), and frankly, none of Rebus' legion of enemies in the police or press are less sure than Templar. There's a little question about letting Siobhan fight her own battles rather than take the avuncular and/or misogynistic approach of helping her. The two get past that pretty quickly, but Clarke harbors a doubt or two about Rebus' involvement.
Rebus, actually, wasn't that concerned with protecting Clarke -- he just used that situation to help him with another investigation. Which is typical of him. It's this last story that's really -- in a way -- the center of the whole novel. The events investigated, the motives for a lot of it, and the emotional core are all tied (at the very least) to this story. Rankin's structuring of the novel in this way shows him at his best. And that's really all I can say without ruining the experience for anyone (in fact, I arguably said too much).
Then there's the last chapter == which is all I'm going to say about it -- I'm torn. On the one hand, it seems to undercut a lot of the emotional weight of the climactic moments. But that doesn't mean it wasn't believable. It's probably more believable than the alternative. Still .. . it left me dissatisfied. On the other hand, Rankin seems to be setting us up to revisit many of these characters in the future. I bet that'll be worth it.
It's hard to come up with things to talk about in a series that's 14 books-old. It's got to be hard to come up with things to talk about with a character that's 14 books-old. Which might be part of the reason that Rankin circled back for another look at the end of Rebus' time with the SAS, which definitely could use another look. How he did it -- and the situations the characters found themselves in regarding that case,and all the others going on -- is what makes Ian Rankin the modern legend that he is. A Question of Blood is one of those books that improves, the more you think about it.
November 4, 2012
Just got a pile of these on sale, in what will doubtlessly be a futile quest to scratch the Cornwell/Kellerman/James itch (P.D. James wrote BAD JANE AUSTEN FANFIC. Not getting over that, never ever) or at least serve as methadone til the next French/Cain books. I'll have to read more books in this series to be sure, but sadly, am not too impressed so far. Rebus, with his drinking problem, disrespect for authority, and wisecracking, is clearly Marlowe in Black Watch, although he's modernized to the extent of having a female boss and partner, a cell phone, and an odd love for terrible modern pop. But he's still cut on the Marlovingian pattern, which is both a strength and weakness -- Marlowe is a pretty great character, after all, a kind of archetype at this point, but he's also a rather annoying asshole, who tends to know too much and withhold it from everyone else, including the reader.
The other notable feature of this series is Rankin's determination to dynamite the Ye Bonnie Banks and Braes cliches by showing modern Scots in modern Edinburgh, which provides most of the colour detail in the book -- such as Rebus' washing out of SAS, the powerful petty criminals Peacock Johnson and Martin Fairstone, and an odd touching moment keyed to The Wind in the Willows (I for one didn't realize Kenneth Grahame was scottish). The opening shooting at a Scottish school seems based on the horrific Dunblane massacre, and other real crimes such as the Lockerbie bombing and the Chinook disaster which killed 29 RAF on the Mull of Kintyre are woven into the plot. Thankfully, this isn't done in the infamous "ripped from the headlines" manner of US crime dramas, but is a lot more subtle (well, that's hardly a compliment).
I'm a little puzzled at all the praise these books for being literary and well-written because to me they seem like novelized film scripts. There's no description of the scenery or what people look like, characterization is shown almost completely through dialogue, and the characters themselves almost never think about what's happening to them -- which is all more like Hammett than Chandler. But even Hammett had moments like the dream of poisonous snakes and the famous anecdote about falling beams, moments which weren't just brutally in service of ruthless pacing driving on the unstoppable plot. I'm intrigued enough to read at least another two or three books in the series, but not sure if Rebus is worth the effort. Perhaps I just picked the wrong book (entirely at random) to start off with (yes yes I know, but the very early books apparently aren't that great, and I just went with an entry that had good reviews and sounded interesting).
ETA: Hah! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/artic...
Occasionally, Rankin's famous friends and his imaginary ones converge. Such as the time when he agreed to write into his novel a real person who had donated a large sum at a charity auction for the privilege. The man, whose name was Peacock Johnson, duly turned up in A Question of Blood – but when Rankin tried to make contact again he had disappeared. A bit of Rebus-style investigation revealed that Peacock Johnson is the alter ego of the bass player of Belle and Sebastian, and that he had subsequently written his own novel in which Rankin turns up as a character who has written about Peacock in a book. "I came across as a bit of a wimp," Rankin complains. "But it was good. It was also, in current parlance, a mindfuck. You think, 'Hang on, if he's not real, and I am real, maybe he's real and I'm not real...'" (Independent)
The other notable feature of this series is Rankin's determination to dynamite the Ye Bonnie Banks and Braes cliches by showing modern Scots in modern Edinburgh, which provides most of the colour detail in the book -- such as Rebus' washing out of SAS, the powerful petty criminals Peacock Johnson and Martin Fairstone, and an odd touching moment keyed to The Wind in the Willows (I for one didn't realize Kenneth Grahame was scottish). The opening shooting at a Scottish school seems based on the horrific Dunblane massacre, and other real crimes such as the Lockerbie bombing and the Chinook disaster which killed 29 RAF on the Mull of Kintyre are woven into the plot. Thankfully, this isn't done in the infamous "ripped from the headlines" manner of US crime dramas, but is a lot more subtle (well, that's hardly a compliment).
I'm a little puzzled at all the praise these books for being literary and well-written because to me they seem like novelized film scripts. There's no description of the scenery or what people look like, characterization is shown almost completely through dialogue, and the characters themselves almost never think about what's happening to them -- which is all more like Hammett than Chandler. But even Hammett had moments like the dream of poisonous snakes and the famous anecdote about falling beams, moments which weren't just brutally in service of ruthless pacing driving on the unstoppable plot. I'm intrigued enough to read at least another two or three books in the series, but not sure if Rebus is worth the effort. Perhaps I just picked the wrong book (entirely at random) to start off with (yes yes I know, but the very early books apparently aren't that great, and I just went with an entry that had good reviews and sounded interesting).
ETA: Hah! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/artic...
Occasionally, Rankin's famous friends and his imaginary ones converge. Such as the time when he agreed to write into his novel a real person who had donated a large sum at a charity auction for the privilege. The man, whose name was Peacock Johnson, duly turned up in A Question of Blood – but when Rankin tried to make contact again he had disappeared. A bit of Rebus-style investigation revealed that Peacock Johnson is the alter ego of the bass player of Belle and Sebastian, and that he had subsequently written his own novel in which Rankin turns up as a character who has written about Peacock in a book. "I came across as a bit of a wimp," Rankin complains. "But it was good. It was also, in current parlance, a mindfuck. You think, 'Hang on, if he's not real, and I am real, maybe he's real and I'm not real...'" (Independent)
June 13, 2016
This was my first foray into the Rebus series, one which I had been eying for a long time—not least due to its Edinburgh setting. Funny then that the one I picked to start with didn't actually take place in Edinburgh at all. No matter, though: A Question of Blood was a nice introduction to the character and his backstory, I think, even though it is a rather late entry as far as I can tell.
I finished the novel pretty snappily, without finding myself bored or distracted and wanting to jump over to other plots and books (a common problem for me). The interwoven plotting and snappy pacing are both work well, the characters and relationships clearly drawn, and the various intrigues all reasonably twisty. Good news all around. Personally, I thought the main subplot related to Rebus' suspicious injury (suspicious because his hands have been severely burned and a man he'd had altercations with died in an arson fire) was resolved a bit too easily, as was the internal inquiry into his possible role in a murder. Additionally, while it does draw out the suspense and the reader's uncertainty, the fact that he knows whether or not he's telling the truth about his involvement in the event but *we* don't know is kind of a cheat. It feels artificial, given that we are inside his thoughts for much of the rest of the book, but it's not written first person so I suppose Rankin can get away with it.
There were also times throughout the novel that I found Rebus' outsider status as your prototypical "loose canon" cop—complete with the wise-cracking, the disregarding authority, the inadvisable outbursts, etc.—a little forced. We get it already—he's a lone wolf (except he's not). No need to overdo it.
As a last side note, I loved the author intro on the book—the stories about the characters that Rankin wrote in after auctioning character rights and the anecdote about being pranked by a member of Belle and Sebastian. Good way to get a feel for Rankin's sense of humor and also nice to see how he incorporated a character that he didn't himself dream up from scratch, but rather had to work in as a sort of exercise.
I finished the novel pretty snappily, without finding myself bored or distracted and wanting to jump over to other plots and books (a common problem for me). The interwoven plotting and snappy pacing are both work well, the characters and relationships clearly drawn, and the various intrigues all reasonably twisty. Good news all around. Personally, I thought the main subplot related to Rebus' suspicious injury (suspicious because his hands have been severely burned and a man he'd had altercations with died in an arson fire) was resolved a bit too easily, as was the internal inquiry into his possible role in a murder. Additionally, while it does draw out the suspense and the reader's uncertainty, the fact that he knows whether or not he's telling the truth about his involvement in the event but *we* don't know is kind of a cheat. It feels artificial, given that we are inside his thoughts for much of the rest of the book, but it's not written first person so I suppose Rankin can get away with it.
There were also times throughout the novel that I found Rebus' outsider status as your prototypical "loose canon" cop—complete with the wise-cracking, the disregarding authority, the inadvisable outbursts, etc.—a little forced. We get it already—he's a lone wolf (except he's not). No need to overdo it.
As a last side note, I loved the author intro on the book—the stories about the characters that Rankin wrote in after auctioning character rights and the anecdote about being pranked by a member of Belle and Sebastian. Good way to get a feel for Rankin's sense of humor and also nice to see how he incorporated a character that he didn't himself dream up from scratch, but rather had to work in as a sort of exercise.
July 27, 2019
Another complex novel in the Rebus series. In this, Rebus is co-opted onto a school shooting investigation by his friend Bobby Hogan, with colleague Siobhan Clarke along to drive and otherwise support him as Rebus has, it seems, badly scalded his hands in the bath. The problem is that a criminal who was stalking Siobhan and had just assaulted her in the street is now dead after a chip pan fire - and seems to have been tied to his chair during it - after being seen drinking in a pub with Rebus who then went back home with him. As Rebus is known to be protective towards Siobhan, their boss and her superiors assume he is responsible, so during the course of the novel he ends up suspended which makes it tricky for him to keep working on the school shooting - although he does manage it, of course.
Investigation into the ex-army suspect for the school shooting reveals apparent criminal involvement, and a couple of army investigators are also around to menace Rebus who eventually works out their hidden agenda. Meanwhile, Siobhan is attracted to an ex RAF friend of the shooter's with unexpected consequencies.
On the plus side I enjoyed the much greater role played by Siobhan in this and the humorous interaction between her and Rebus. However, I didn't find the guest star villains - Rankin tells the story in his foreword of how they were created after a charity raffle to auction off the right to appear in the book - at all convincing. I found their parts of the story rather dragged out and thought the book could still have worked without them and with a little rewriting to cover the essentials of their role. I also wasn't convinced by the climax . So the rating balances out at 4 stars for me.
Investigation into the ex-army suspect for the school shooting reveals apparent criminal involvement, and a couple of army investigators are also around to menace Rebus who eventually works out their hidden agenda. Meanwhile, Siobhan is attracted to an ex RAF friend of the shooter's with unexpected consequencies.
On the plus side I enjoyed the much greater role played by Siobhan in this and the humorous interaction between her and Rebus. However, I didn't find the guest star villains - Rankin tells the story in his foreword of how they were created after a charity raffle to auction off the right to appear in the book - at all convincing. I found their parts of the story rather dragged out and thought the book could still have worked without them and with a little rewriting to cover the essentials of their role. I also wasn't convinced by the climax . So the rating balances out at 4 stars for me.
June 4, 2025
3.5
Book number 14 in the series and I still can't get enough of auld Rebus!
Book number 14 in the series and I still can't get enough of auld Rebus!
August 19, 2024
Not so much a murder mystery as an exploration into masculinity and its weaknesses. There is certainly a murder to be solved. Two schoolboys gunned down in their own school. For those obsessed with spoilers, don't read the title whatever you do. It gives the whole thing away. However, it is to the parade of damaged men, and that includes Rebus, that the author devotes much of his analysis. Whether it is the aftermath of trauma, the spell of jealousy, the smells of perversion and greed, or the trials of a loveless childhood, there is a whole Edinburgh population bubbling over with anger, resentment, vengefulness, sexual frustration and desire. In fact I can only recall two male characters who are straight-forward: Bobby Hogan, the investigating detective who comes across as being as normal as his job will allow, and Peacock Johnson, the Hawaiian shirt-loving psychopath who is unremittingly evil and was probably just as evil when he was nine years old.
So who killed the two boys and wounded a third? Was it really Lee Herdman? He was found dead at the scene, killed by his own hand and named as the murderer by the one surviving witness, James Bell, the moody son of a sleaze-soaked local politician. Was Herdman so torn by his army experiences that he lost control when he had a gun in his hand? This is why it is better not to read the title. Then there is the savage death of Martin Fairstone, a small time thief left bound and gagged and full of whisky to burn to death in his own kitchen. Could Rebus possibly be the killer? Both his hands had been burned though he insists they were accidentally scalded in hot water, he had been drinking with Fairstone and he had his own history in the army and an unrivalled track record of insubordination while with the police. Hardly a stable character to anyone other than his Detective Sergeant sidekick Siobhan Clarke.
The plot becomes convoluted as more characters are introduced and allowed to display their frailties, perhaps pushing the plot away from reality towards the end. Whiteread and Simms, the English military police investigators who form a rough and tumble double act as they seem desperately keen on something in Herdman's SAS past, occasionally appear out of place. Young Rab Fisher and his gang of juvenile thugs, Teri the Goth, one of the few female eccentrics with her fixation on older men and a form of reverse voyeurism, and Evil Bob, Peacock Johnson's associate who ends up more scrambled than hard-boiled, flit in and out of the story more as confusing red herrings than anything else. And, not quite at the ending but close to it, there is a bit of old style TV cop drama as Siobhan accepts an invitation for a flying lesson from Doug Brimson, another ex-military man with a history. I was almost shouting down at the page: "Oh no! Not the airfield! Don't go to the airfield, Siobhan!" Some villains are just too smooth to hide their villainy from the reader. Hiding it from a damsel in distress seems quite easy, however.
No matter. The murderer had already been unmasked by that time and the whole event allowed the story to close on a touch of melodrama and let us see that Rebus had enough humanity left to shed a tear and crack a smile. It is an impressive read. I recommend it - and not only to crime enthusiasts.
So who killed the two boys and wounded a third? Was it really Lee Herdman? He was found dead at the scene, killed by his own hand and named as the murderer by the one surviving witness, James Bell, the moody son of a sleaze-soaked local politician. Was Herdman so torn by his army experiences that he lost control when he had a gun in his hand? This is why it is better not to read the title. Then there is the savage death of Martin Fairstone, a small time thief left bound and gagged and full of whisky to burn to death in his own kitchen. Could Rebus possibly be the killer? Both his hands had been burned though he insists they were accidentally scalded in hot water, he had been drinking with Fairstone and he had his own history in the army and an unrivalled track record of insubordination while with the police. Hardly a stable character to anyone other than his Detective Sergeant sidekick Siobhan Clarke.
The plot becomes convoluted as more characters are introduced and allowed to display their frailties, perhaps pushing the plot away from reality towards the end. Whiteread and Simms, the English military police investigators who form a rough and tumble double act as they seem desperately keen on something in Herdman's SAS past, occasionally appear out of place. Young Rab Fisher and his gang of juvenile thugs, Teri the Goth, one of the few female eccentrics with her fixation on older men and a form of reverse voyeurism, and Evil Bob, Peacock Johnson's associate who ends up more scrambled than hard-boiled, flit in and out of the story more as confusing red herrings than anything else. And, not quite at the ending but close to it, there is a bit of old style TV cop drama as Siobhan accepts an invitation for a flying lesson from Doug Brimson, another ex-military man with a history. I was almost shouting down at the page: "Oh no! Not the airfield! Don't go to the airfield, Siobhan!" Some villains are just too smooth to hide their villainy from the reader. Hiding it from a damsel in distress seems quite easy, however.
No matter. The murderer had already been unmasked by that time and the whole event allowed the story to close on a touch of melodrama and let us see that Rebus had enough humanity left to shed a tear and crack a smile. It is an impressive read. I recommend it - and not only to crime enthusiasts.
September 18, 2022
Competently written in terms of style, but the plot and characters are drab and dull. This is the fourth Rebus I've read and I still have no idea what Siobhan Clarke, who has appeared in all of them, looks like.
An angry loner has killed two teens at a private school before shooting himself. The only thing lacking is a motive, so Rebus is assigned to figure this out, which seems like a waste of 400 pages. But all is not as it seems. Could there have been someone even angrier and more trigger happy?
Rebus is back on the bottle, and in fact has to make his way through the book with painful burns on his hands after he briefly passed out and dipped them in a scalding tub. Cigarettes must be lit and placed in his mouth. Everyone in the police department mistakes his burns for evidence that he killed a man who was stalking Clarke, who died in a fire. (The man, not Clarke.)
Rebus has no lady love now, although he does kiss Clarke at the end, surprising both of them. I have no idea of Clarke's age, somewhere between 28 and 48 probably.
April 7, 2021
I still remember when I was at the bookstore and was looking for some other books and then @book.it.up recommended me to go for Ian Rankin, As he is a very good writer and the only book that was available at the store was “A question of blood”, this book is the 14th book of the Inspector Rebus series.
When I first read the blurb of this book, the two teenagers who were killed by an ex-army man who then turns the gun on himself, and when Inspector Rebus puts it, ‘there's no mystery... except the why’. And this all took him to the community of shattered people, also Rebus becomes fascinated by the killer.
The book has 27 Chapters, Covered up in 7 days, and when I started it in the beginning I was not that much into it but when the story paced up I didn’t get any chance to put this genius writing away until I was finished.
His character, John Rebus, isn't what you'd call loveable; he's very much drawn, however not really somebody you need to have over for these special seasons. His accomplice Siobhan Clark, all things considered, works with him in any event, when she doesn't need to do as such, which says something regarding her, I assume. What's more, obviously there is a full commendation of slime balls included [not every one of the typical suspects, by the way], to balance everything.
I would surely want to read all of this series and highly recommended it if you are into Mystery and Crime
Format: Paperback
Pages: 438
Genres: Mystery Crime
When I first read the blurb of this book, the two teenagers who were killed by an ex-army man who then turns the gun on himself, and when Inspector Rebus puts it, ‘there's no mystery... except the why’. And this all took him to the community of shattered people, also Rebus becomes fascinated by the killer.
The book has 27 Chapters, Covered up in 7 days, and when I started it in the beginning I was not that much into it but when the story paced up I didn’t get any chance to put this genius writing away until I was finished.
His character, John Rebus, isn't what you'd call loveable; he's very much drawn, however not really somebody you need to have over for these special seasons. His accomplice Siobhan Clark, all things considered, works with him in any event, when she doesn't need to do as such, which says something regarding her, I assume. What's more, obviously there is a full commendation of slime balls included [not every one of the typical suspects, by the way], to balance everything.
I would surely want to read all of this series and highly recommended it if you are into Mystery and Crime
Format: Paperback
Pages: 438
Genres: Mystery Crime
January 19, 2024
7 out of 5 stars. Complex novel about the friends of the man who gave Siobhan a black eye and the ex-SAS soldier who shoots 3 teenagers at an expensive private school, killing 2 of them and himself. Siobhan has been giving Rebus CDs of heavy metal music to add to his collection of classic rock and jazz. C.O.D.Y. (Come On Die Young) is a message a dead man sends her and a metal song. Rebus reacquaints himself with his cousin's family because his boy is one of the dead kids. Rebus has somehow gotten 2nd degree burns on his hands (he says he plunged them into hot dishwater or a hot bathtub but nobody believes him). He was also the last person seen leaving a bar with a young thug who burned to death in his kitchen when the chip pan caught fire later on that evening. Rebus learns that 'The Wind in the Willows' unlocks the kid in everyone, especially when one kid tells him 'Toad was an arse, wasn't he?'. The Army sends out 2 investigators to see what the SAS mass shooter had on his water skiing boat and yacht. Drugs? Guns? And are they there to investigate or cover something up? - Covid's over (only 100 people a day dying in the US). Trump's a Winner (Iowa, not in court). Most of the US, Europe and China is freezing to death so 2023 being the hottest year Ever goes down the Memory Hole.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 559 reviews