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Inspector Rebus #18
Standing in Another Man's Grave
After five years out in the cold of retirement (literally: he’s been working cold cases as a civilian) Rebus has managed to wangle his way back to CID as a semi-official investigator in Standing in Another Man’s Grave, which also marks five years since our last fictional sighting of him.
356 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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5219 people want to read
About the author
Ian Rankin
419 books6,501 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,538 reviews
May 24, 2018
Ian Rankin always writes good books and Standing in Another Man's Grave is possibly one of his best.
John Rebus was retired from the Force at the end of the last book and in this one he is back in a kind of honorary role. He is still in top form, just as difficult as ever, just as determined to do things his own way. He is also very smart and very well connected with both ex cops and ex criminals from his long history as a police officer. All these things keep him one step ahead of every one else and able to break the case first.
Rankin writes beautifully about Scotland and his descriptions are never superfluous or boring. His characters are all well written and his dialogue realistic and frequently funny. Rebus himself has a very dry wit and a very entertaining relationship with Siobhan Clarke.
Standing in Another Man's Grave is not fast paced or full of action. It is an excellently well written police procedural which maintains the reader's interest from the first page to the last.
John Rebus was retired from the Force at the end of the last book and in this one he is back in a kind of honorary role. He is still in top form, just as difficult as ever, just as determined to do things his own way. He is also very smart and very well connected with both ex cops and ex criminals from his long history as a police officer. All these things keep him one step ahead of every one else and able to break the case first.
Rankin writes beautifully about Scotland and his descriptions are never superfluous or boring. His characters are all well written and his dialogue realistic and frequently funny. Rebus himself has a very dry wit and a very entertaining relationship with Siobhan Clarke.
Standing in Another Man's Grave is not fast paced or full of action. It is an excellently well written police procedural which maintains the reader's interest from the first page to the last.
July 10, 2018
Standing in Another Man's Grave (Inspector Rebus, #18) by Ian Rankin.
Let me start this review by thanking the author for finding life in retirement for Rebus. His continuation of this marvelous Detective series is much appreciated by this reader.
Rebus has retired BUT is continuing on the force at his old stomping grounds as a civilian in the cold case files. A mispers is brought to his Rebus's attention by a mother searching for her missing daughter...years missing. One missing girl leads to another and another. Siobhan Clarke is with Rebus and is up for a big promotion...if all goes well. Being with Rebus usually means nothing goes well and that's just the beginning!
Rebus has also decided to rejoin the force and has his application on the dining room table. Fate may have another idea for Rebus that may take him in a role he has never played before.
There are no words to describe the yearning to enter the world of Inspector Rebus book after book. I must advise you, dear reader, that much of Rebus's history with his co-workers as well as adversaries has been written prior to this story. So be advised.
Let me start this review by thanking the author for finding life in retirement for Rebus. His continuation of this marvelous Detective series is much appreciated by this reader.
Rebus has retired BUT is continuing on the force at his old stomping grounds as a civilian in the cold case files. A mispers is brought to his Rebus's attention by a mother searching for her missing daughter...years missing. One missing girl leads to another and another. Siobhan Clarke is with Rebus and is up for a big promotion...if all goes well. Being with Rebus usually means nothing goes well and that's just the beginning!
Rebus has also decided to rejoin the force and has his application on the dining room table. Fate may have another idea for Rebus that may take him in a role he has never played before.
There are no words to describe the yearning to enter the world of Inspector Rebus book after book. I must advise you, dear reader, that much of Rebus's history with his co-workers as well as adversaries has been written prior to this story. So be advised.
December 24, 2012
Peter Robinson once told me that the superlative Ian Rankin would not let Inspector Rebus just fade away. Seems Mr Robinson called it correctly. What a treat to have Rebus back again Nov 6th.
Finally done! Thankfully, those 2 words do not apply to John Rebus.
He's back and with all his idiosyncratic, defiant & brilliant behaviours intact.
Hated to see this book end. Hoping against hope that Mr Rankin will not allow him to rest too long.
Finally done! Thankfully, those 2 words do not apply to John Rebus.
He's back and with all his idiosyncratic, defiant & brilliant behaviours intact.
Hated to see this book end. Hoping against hope that Mr Rankin will not allow him to rest too long.
July 31, 2014
At the end of Exit Music in 2008, Ian Rankin was forced to retire his cantankerous Scottish detective, John Rebus, because Rebus had hit sixty, which is (or was) the mandatory retirement age for detectives in Scotland. Happily, Rebus now returns, albeit as a civilian assisting a cold case squad rather than as a full-fledged detective.
After writing a couple of novels featuring Malcolm Fox, who is in the "Complaints" or Internal Affairs Division and who is as sober and straight-laced as Rebus is not, Rankin discovered that there was a small unit in Edinburgh comprised of three retired detectives led by one active detective who looked into cold cases.
Rebus is now assigned to the unit and is visited by a woman named Nina Hazlitt. Ten years earlier, her daughter, Sally, had disappeared, but Nina has not been able to get anyone to revive the case. Rebus agrees to look at it and in digging through the musty files, discovers that a number of other young women have disappeared in much the same way from virtually the same location. Now another girl has gone missing and Rebus believes that he's looking at the actions of a single serial killer.
Rebus manages to work his way into the current investigation, which also involves his long-time understudy, Siobhan Clarke, even though he still has no official standing. He doggedly pursues the case, taking it in directions that the team leader doesn't necessarily believe fruitful, and along the way, he manages to antagonize a large number of people, just as he did in the old days.
In an interesting sub-plot, the retirement age has now been raised, and Rebus is considering applying for a return to active duty. In the process, he runs head-on into Malcolm Fox, who'd prefer to see Rebus dead and buried, at least officially.
All in all, it's a very entertaining story, and it's great to see Rebus back in the saddle again. Rankin writes, as always, with a great sense of place, and it's fun to watch Rebus as the old dog who's trying to cope with a new age and with new ways of policing. Long-time fans of the series are in for a treat, as is any other fan of crime fiction who happens to come across this book.
After writing a couple of novels featuring Malcolm Fox, who is in the "Complaints" or Internal Affairs Division and who is as sober and straight-laced as Rebus is not, Rankin discovered that there was a small unit in Edinburgh comprised of three retired detectives led by one active detective who looked into cold cases.
Rebus is now assigned to the unit and is visited by a woman named Nina Hazlitt. Ten years earlier, her daughter, Sally, had disappeared, but Nina has not been able to get anyone to revive the case. Rebus agrees to look at it and in digging through the musty files, discovers that a number of other young women have disappeared in much the same way from virtually the same location. Now another girl has gone missing and Rebus believes that he's looking at the actions of a single serial killer.
Rebus manages to work his way into the current investigation, which also involves his long-time understudy, Siobhan Clarke, even though he still has no official standing. He doggedly pursues the case, taking it in directions that the team leader doesn't necessarily believe fruitful, and along the way, he manages to antagonize a large number of people, just as he did in the old days.
In an interesting sub-plot, the retirement age has now been raised, and Rebus is considering applying for a return to active duty. In the process, he runs head-on into Malcolm Fox, who'd prefer to see Rebus dead and buried, at least officially.
All in all, it's a very entertaining story, and it's great to see Rebus back in the saddle again. Rankin writes, as always, with a great sense of place, and it's fun to watch Rebus as the old dog who's trying to cope with a new age and with new ways of policing. Long-time fans of the series are in for a treat, as is any other fan of crime fiction who happens to come across this book.
Read
April 4, 2013Well, maybe if I say "fuck" a lot in this review Amazon won't seize it and lead it to an evil digital dungeon. ....wait, I say "fuck" all the time anyway.
A very enjoyable way to kill an afternoon. Not a good entry point for anyone not familiar with the series, but hell, it's the eighteenth book. For the rest of us, it's a nice installment.
Rankin, never very good with female characters, serves us up a weepy stalker in this one. I was hoping Rebus would drown her in a bucket of her own tears, but I hoped in vain. The book earns a major DING and DING again from me for making Siobhan and a high-ranking female colleague have a bad case of the Stupids, i.e. they're Not Rebus. (This is why people call me a bitch feminist.) (Then again, to be fair to Rankin, everyone in a series like this is Stupid because they're Not Rebus, so.) Major bonus points for Rebus just being Rebus. The murder and indeed the motive are really glossed over, and the romanticization of the Scottish Thugs 4 Lyf continues, but it's awesome to see Rebus just being Rebus again, which is sometimes all you want in a series.
Some dude named Fox whom I also wanted to drown in a bucket apparently visits from a less successful series Rankin is trying to launch, but fortunately only for four-five chapters total. Remember the Bond movie where Judi Dench dressed down -- which one was it then, Timothy Dalton? -- at the beginning and then he went on Bonding his way all over the movie anyway? It's like that. Fox is foiled, of course, not just by being a berk but by Not Being Rebus. The supposed theme of the book is dinosaurs of the past dying off and a newer generation moving up and moving on, except, well, Rebus. He half-heartedly cuts back on Silk Cuts and trades his IPA for Irn-Bru, but his poor physical shape is emphasized throughout the novel, his heart banging alarmingly at times. It doesn't matter, though: the most unkillable character in modern literature, after the immortal vampire, is the murder dick. I think when Christie died, at the end of his series Poirot was something like eighty-five and yet still looked forty. Twitter and cell phone snaps enter the picture, but what solves it is good old-fashioned flatfoot footwork by Rebus, because, well, what else are you reading the series for?*
The musical selection is, as always, pretty great and the title mondegreen is woven in very well. If the publishers could wrest rights away from the music industry to include a CD or soundtrack link in each book they'd make a mint. (I seem to remember Rankin had a book playlist on last.fm a while ago? but I doubt it still works.) I predict this book will be amazing to American readers because Rebus damnear puts a girdle round Scotland in forty minutes, and here that wouldn't get you halfway through Montana. Rebus' enduring, dangerous, manipulative-on-both-sides relationship with Cafferty is very good. It'd be great to see another book where they really clash.
Nobody would call Rankin a great writer (well, I wouldn't take them seriously if they did) but certain images are haunting: the rained-on full grave at the beginning, a pale hand barely visible at night reaching out of a shallow grave deep in a forest, ghosts of missing and dead girls haunting CCTV footage and cell phones....Despite the indefatigable nature of Rebus, whatever immortality he has depends on his fictional status: his unreality. Whereas for the rest of us, whatver's making us stand in or just above the open grave, death sooner or later shoves us all down into it. And that's not even a crime.
*Colin Dexter cemented his curmudgeonly status once and for all by killing off Morse, which I applaud intellectually but I've only been able to read that book and see that series (in which John Thaw was phenomenal) just the once.
A very enjoyable way to kill an afternoon. Not a good entry point for anyone not familiar with the series, but hell, it's the eighteenth book. For the rest of us, it's a nice installment.
Rankin, never very good with female characters, serves us up a weepy stalker in this one. I was hoping Rebus would drown her in a bucket of her own tears, but I hoped in vain. The book earns a major DING and DING again from me for making Siobhan and a high-ranking female colleague have a bad case of the Stupids, i.e. they're Not Rebus. (This is why people call me a bitch feminist.) (Then again, to be fair to Rankin, everyone in a series like this is Stupid because they're Not Rebus, so.) Major bonus points for Rebus just being Rebus. The murder and indeed the motive are really glossed over, and the romanticization of the Scottish Thugs 4 Lyf continues, but it's awesome to see Rebus just being Rebus again, which is sometimes all you want in a series.
Some dude named Fox whom I also wanted to drown in a bucket apparently visits from a less successful series Rankin is trying to launch, but fortunately only for four-five chapters total. Remember the Bond movie where Judi Dench dressed down -- which one was it then, Timothy Dalton? -- at the beginning and then he went on Bonding his way all over the movie anyway? It's like that. Fox is foiled, of course, not just by being a berk but by Not Being Rebus. The supposed theme of the book is dinosaurs of the past dying off and a newer generation moving up and moving on, except, well, Rebus. He half-heartedly cuts back on Silk Cuts and trades his IPA for Irn-Bru, but his poor physical shape is emphasized throughout the novel, his heart banging alarmingly at times. It doesn't matter, though: the most unkillable character in modern literature, after the immortal vampire, is the murder dick. I think when Christie died, at the end of his series Poirot was something like eighty-five and yet still looked forty. Twitter and cell phone snaps enter the picture, but what solves it is good old-fashioned flatfoot footwork by Rebus, because, well, what else are you reading the series for?*
The musical selection is, as always, pretty great and the title mondegreen is woven in very well. If the publishers could wrest rights away from the music industry to include a CD or soundtrack link in each book they'd make a mint. (I seem to remember Rankin had a book playlist on last.fm a while ago? but I doubt it still works.) I predict this book will be amazing to American readers because Rebus damnear puts a girdle round Scotland in forty minutes, and here that wouldn't get you halfway through Montana. Rebus' enduring, dangerous, manipulative-on-both-sides relationship with Cafferty is very good. It'd be great to see another book where they really clash.
Nobody would call Rankin a great writer (well, I wouldn't take them seriously if they did) but certain images are haunting: the rained-on full grave at the beginning, a pale hand barely visible at night reaching out of a shallow grave deep in a forest, ghosts of missing and dead girls haunting CCTV footage and cell phones....Despite the indefatigable nature of Rebus, whatever immortality he has depends on his fictional status: his unreality. Whereas for the rest of us, whatver's making us stand in or just above the open grave, death sooner or later shoves us all down into it. And that's not even a crime.
*Colin Dexter cemented his curmudgeonly status once and for all by killing off Morse, which I applaud intellectually but I've only been able to read that book and see that series (in which John Thaw was phenomenal) just the once.
December 15, 2018
(Clarke) looked at him again. ‘When was the last time you actually left the city – for pleasure, I mean?’ He gave a casual shrug as she continued to study him, this time taking in his clothes. ‘James likes the officers under him to be presentable.’
‘You might be under him from time to time, but not me…”
In Standing in Another Man’s Grave Rebus is semi-retired and working cold cases with the SCRU, but hopes to return to CID with Lothian and Borders Police now that the retirement age has been raised. By chance he is there when Nina Hazlitt arrives from London wanting to speak to the unit’s founder, Gregor Magrath, now retired. Hazlitt’s daughter Sally went missing during millennium celebrations at Aviemore, not far from the A9, and Nina has been watching other cases of MisPer women disappearing along the same route over the years. The latest case is of Edinburgh teenager Annette McKie, which is being investigated by Rebus’ former protégé, DI Siobhan Clarke with assistance from computer-whiz DC Christine Esson, the team headed by the suave DCI James Page.
Rebus is co-opted to the CID investigation, even though evidence linking the MisPer cases is thin, and revolves around a photo taken on McKie’s cell phone and sent to a friend at school with whom she plays computer games; this matches an earlier case. But was it taken by the MisPer or a serial abductor, and is it misdirection?
He leaves Edinburgh and drives north along the A9, interviewing the navvies working at roadworks around Pitlochry where Annette McKie was last seen; saluting whiskey distilleries as he passes them, leading him to remote roads through the Scottish Highlands, making new friends and enemies. But beyond the police procedural and the inevitable media scrum, there are the back stories of the MisPer themselves, where all is not what it seems.
There is something comforting about a Rebus novel; it’s like slipping on a favourite pair of runners: the main character seeks justice for the victims and closure for the families, and is not above bending the rules. His lifestyle of whiskey and keeping company with underworld figures does not endear him to Malcolm Fox, head of “Complaints”, nor to the self-serving career detectives, or his dry wit.
Verdict: enthralling.
‘You might be under him from time to time, but not me…”
In Standing in Another Man’s Grave Rebus is semi-retired and working cold cases with the SCRU, but hopes to return to CID with Lothian and Borders Police now that the retirement age has been raised. By chance he is there when Nina Hazlitt arrives from London wanting to speak to the unit’s founder, Gregor Magrath, now retired. Hazlitt’s daughter Sally went missing during millennium celebrations at Aviemore, not far from the A9, and Nina has been watching other cases of MisPer women disappearing along the same route over the years. The latest case is of Edinburgh teenager Annette McKie, which is being investigated by Rebus’ former protégé, DI Siobhan Clarke with assistance from computer-whiz DC Christine Esson, the team headed by the suave DCI James Page.
Rebus is co-opted to the CID investigation, even though evidence linking the MisPer cases is thin, and revolves around a photo taken on McKie’s cell phone and sent to a friend at school with whom she plays computer games; this matches an earlier case. But was it taken by the MisPer or a serial abductor, and is it misdirection?
He leaves Edinburgh and drives north along the A9, interviewing the navvies working at roadworks around Pitlochry where Annette McKie was last seen; saluting whiskey distilleries as he passes them, leading him to remote roads through the Scottish Highlands, making new friends and enemies. But beyond the police procedural and the inevitable media scrum, there are the back stories of the MisPer themselves, where all is not what it seems.
There is something comforting about a Rebus novel; it’s like slipping on a favourite pair of runners: the main character seeks justice for the victims and closure for the families, and is not above bending the rules. His lifestyle of whiskey and keeping company with underworld figures does not endear him to Malcolm Fox, head of “Complaints”, nor to the self-serving career detectives, or his dry wit.
Verdict: enthralling.
July 21, 2015
I enjoyed reading this latest installment in the Rebus series. Rebus is now retired and working as a civilian on the Lothian & Borders cold case squad. He is still drinking and smoking heavily. He responds to a woman asking about her daughter, missing for ten years or so. When he digs into the files, he realizes that there are other missing women and that there could be a serial killer at work. He manages to offend many peolpe in the pursuit of this case. I give it 3.5 stars out of 4 stars(rounded up to 4). Reading about Rebus' smoking habits is getting old.
July 18, 2021
Standing in Another mans grave Ian Rankin Rebus retired from the police for five years, continues to investigate as part of the cold cases unit. Helping the mother of a missing girl find out what happened to her daughter, leads Rebus to uncover the truth about a series of seemingly unconnected disappearances going back to the millennium that’s the blurb. Rebus is one unconventional inspector he struggles with internal police politics tends to ignore his superiors and is unafraid to bend the rules he has nice habit of creating friction between his fellow police, lastly he lets his own personal life issues effect his work, the perfect employee. This is a solid police procedural detective fiction I found inventive and interesting. Rebus has a crazy music selection but don’t we all apparently Ian Rankin misheard a song by Scottish singer writer Jackie Leven “Standing in Another mans rain". His wacky style, whiskey drinking anti snobbery is a giggle. But he gets it done if albeit in an unusual mixed up manner. Rebus is the full disaster a likeable rouge ex wife ex girlfriend sometimes sleeps with the boss estranged daughter and estranged current girl friend I still can’t figure out if I should feel sorry or roll around laughing, anywho, enjoyable messy crazy interesting piece of work masterly weaved together. Is Scotland gloomy and permanently cold and grey is corruption and crime out of control probably not but dam more engaging I reckon.
December 25, 2017
Rebus is back proclaimed the cover of this novel. It was a major victory for Rebus to return into our lives after a hiatus.
Rebus is back in a civilian capacity working with the cold case unit in Edinburgh. A mother approached him to look for her daughter who vanished years ago. Rebus looks into moldy old files and find several women who vanished in that area.
Pushing himself into the investigating team, and being the revel and maverick that he is, he pisses everyone in his vicinity.
Ian Rankin did a great job bringing Rebus back, along with Siobhan Clarke, Big G, and some interesting secondary characters that show the underbelly of various Scottish towns
Rebus is back in a civilian capacity working with the cold case unit in Edinburgh. A mother approached him to look for her daughter who vanished years ago. Rebus looks into moldy old files and find several women who vanished in that area.
Pushing himself into the investigating team, and being the revel and maverick that he is, he pisses everyone in his vicinity.
Ian Rankin did a great job bringing Rebus back, along with Siobhan Clarke, Big G, and some interesting secondary characters that show the underbelly of various Scottish towns
Read
April 21, 2022I don’t think, in good conscience, I can rate this one. I picked it up on a whim and listened to the audio-book. I had very little prior understanding of Inspector Rebus. I candidly didn’t follow the story completely. It’s not that it was boring or hard to understand. Not it at all…
It’s just that this was like book 18 in a Rebus series and there was a lot of back story I didn’t know. But even that isn’t really the reason why I didn’t completely absorb or follow the plot. Not really.
No, it was really a matter of just being so thoroughly engrossed in the narrator’s voice and listening to his Scottish brogue and the whole time I’m listening to this book I am lamenting my life and wondering, damn, how it would be so damn cool to be Scottish! Fantastic narration. I was more interested in listening to the narrator’s voice than trying to suss out the clues or work out the mystery. (Don’t judge me.)
Anyway, all that being said, I kind of like Rebus as a character and the detective world he has surrounding him. I could tell there were lots of quaffing of pints and sessions of whiskey sipping. I wholly approve of copious amounts of that type of plot items.
There were also conflicts between old school cops and new generation cops. That made for some interesting plot and dialogue. Poor Rebus seems rather unpopular with the latter.
Lots of cell phone and text issues in this mystery and efforts to get cell phone reception!
Rebus seems to really like his Saab. Okay … who am I to judge.
Poor guy seems to have so many people within the force gunning for him. BRUTAL! Could Inspector Rebus really be that bad of a guy? Methinks not.
It’s just that this was like book 18 in a Rebus series and there was a lot of back story I didn’t know. But even that isn’t really the reason why I didn’t completely absorb or follow the plot. Not really.
No, it was really a matter of just being so thoroughly engrossed in the narrator’s voice and listening to his Scottish brogue and the whole time I’m listening to this book I am lamenting my life and wondering, damn, how it would be so damn cool to be Scottish! Fantastic narration. I was more interested in listening to the narrator’s voice than trying to suss out the clues or work out the mystery. (Don’t judge me.)
Anyway, all that being said, I kind of like Rebus as a character and the detective world he has surrounding him. I could tell there were lots of quaffing of pints and sessions of whiskey sipping. I wholly approve of copious amounts of that type of plot items.
There were also conflicts between old school cops and new generation cops. That made for some interesting plot and dialogue. Poor Rebus seems rather unpopular with the latter.
Lots of cell phone and text issues in this mystery and efforts to get cell phone reception!
Rebus seems to really like his Saab. Okay … who am I to judge.
Poor guy seems to have so many people within the force gunning for him. BRUTAL! Could Inspector Rebus really be that bad of a guy? Methinks not.
March 6, 2014
oh look - my original review on this is not anywhere to be found - and I had a gazillion 'likes' on it too!
GONE, and it must have gone before I transferred my records to Booklikes because there is no record of it there.
Fuck you Goodreads!
So, trying to reconstruct...
The title is a mondegreen of this song
Ian Rankin on Jackie Leven
and the map was this one:
GONE, and it must have gone before I transferred my records to Booklikes because there is no record of it there.
Fuck you Goodreads!
So, trying to reconstruct...
The title is a mondegreen of this song
Ian Rankin on Jackie Leven
and the map was this one:
December 4, 2015
The crime genre is filled with the drunken derelict. You all know the cv, he's a loner does not play well with others, making enemies. Usually he gets a long better with the people he is trying to put in prison. But he is not corrupt, no he's the knight errant of the mean streets, the slightly bent but strong moral compass. He will have a string of ex wives and girl friends, he's not sexist, will get a leg over when ever possible, but it seems he relates better to the dead than the living. And there is always a poison, usually drink, they are always alcohol sodden. But is when drunk they will get the result, with a whole of detritus in their wake.
I have described about half the main characters of crime fiction. Dave Robicheaux, Harry Hole, Harry Bosch, Joe Cashin, team of Kenzie and Gennaro. Anyone from a James Elroy novel, John Rebus, Gene Hunt, and of course the Granddaddy Philip Marlowe, and the great granddaddy Sherlock Holmes (though he preferred opium). So why do I keep going back to these characters? I love them, I find them impossibly sexy, slightly bloated from their years of hard drinking, the permanent scowl, the arrogance, the emotional distance. I would go there in a second. They are the bad boys with a heart of gold and heart disease. Gorgeous.
And the above John Rebus hero of 'Standing in another man's grave' is every cell of this character. Though now he has to go outside to smoke, and is constantly smelling smelling of mints and fast food from lunch time sessions at the pub. The fact that he is now my father's age does not deter me for a second.
I have not read a Rebus novel for maybe 10 years, and Rebus has aged with it, retired but still in the game. It was nice to catch up with the other characters who suddenly flooded my memory, see how they were all doing.
This is a smart crime novel, Rankin knows this character inside out, the writing is a lot more comfortable than in is first Malcolm Fox novel 'The Complaints' where he is still figuring him out. He has been writing Rebus for about 20 years. There are a lot of balls in the air, which Rankin successfully juggles and intelligently. I liked how each character had their own drive and ambition which pushed the novel into different directions which keeps the reader on their toes.
I have described about half the main characters of crime fiction. Dave Robicheaux, Harry Hole, Harry Bosch, Joe Cashin, team of Kenzie and Gennaro. Anyone from a James Elroy novel, John Rebus, Gene Hunt, and of course the Granddaddy Philip Marlowe, and the great granddaddy Sherlock Holmes (though he preferred opium). So why do I keep going back to these characters? I love them, I find them impossibly sexy, slightly bloated from their years of hard drinking, the permanent scowl, the arrogance, the emotional distance. I would go there in a second. They are the bad boys with a heart of gold and heart disease. Gorgeous.
And the above John Rebus hero of 'Standing in another man's grave' is every cell of this character. Though now he has to go outside to smoke, and is constantly smelling smelling of mints and fast food from lunch time sessions at the pub. The fact that he is now my father's age does not deter me for a second.
I have not read a Rebus novel for maybe 10 years, and Rebus has aged with it, retired but still in the game. It was nice to catch up with the other characters who suddenly flooded my memory, see how they were all doing.
This is a smart crime novel, Rankin knows this character inside out, the writing is a lot more comfortable than in is first Malcolm Fox novel 'The Complaints' where he is still figuring him out. He has been writing Rebus for about 20 years. There are a lot of balls in the air, which Rankin successfully juggles and intelligently. I liked how each character had their own drive and ambition which pushed the novel into different directions which keeps the reader on their toes.
August 31, 2019
Book 18 in the Rebus series.
Rebus is now retired but still working for the police in a civilian capacity, working on cold cases.
When a woman comes in to the station and asks to speak to a particular detective she is told that officer had retired years ago. But she said it was important that she speaks to someone. The job falls to Rebus to get rid of her. But instead of getting rid of her what she tells Rebus ignites the spark of intuition in Rebus’s head that starts him off looking for a serial killer.
With the help of Siobhan Clarke, his ex police partner, he gets himself attached to the team investigating this possibility. As usual Rebus is not one to mindlessly follow the flow but manages to create waves by not following orders and doing his own thing in his own way, much to the irritation of the officers in charge.
I have read, and enjoyed all of the Rebus books and can honestly say that this is one of the best.
Rebus is old, he’s grumpy and he’s irascible but for all that you still want to be in his corner because he still has more smarts that the rest of them put together.
The plot is intriguing; the characters are by this time well and truly developed and the writing is tight. It’s by no means a high tension read but that does not detract from the books readability.
A recommended 4 star read.
Rebus is now retired but still working for the police in a civilian capacity, working on cold cases.
When a woman comes in to the station and asks to speak to a particular detective she is told that officer had retired years ago. But she said it was important that she speaks to someone. The job falls to Rebus to get rid of her. But instead of getting rid of her what she tells Rebus ignites the spark of intuition in Rebus’s head that starts him off looking for a serial killer.
With the help of Siobhan Clarke, his ex police partner, he gets himself attached to the team investigating this possibility. As usual Rebus is not one to mindlessly follow the flow but manages to create waves by not following orders and doing his own thing in his own way, much to the irritation of the officers in charge.
I have read, and enjoyed all of the Rebus books and can honestly say that this is one of the best.
Rebus is old, he’s grumpy and he’s irascible but for all that you still want to be in his corner because he still has more smarts that the rest of them put together.
The plot is intriguing; the characters are by this time well and truly developed and the writing is tight. It’s by no means a high tension read but that does not detract from the books readability.
A recommended 4 star read.
April 10, 2013
Rebus is back!!!So happy to see him. Hope he has another book! I had read all the other Rebus books. I also read Rankin's very 1st book that I found in a cruise ship library! Love to see the evolution of a writer. How is Rebus still alive with all his drinking and smoking and unhealthy life style!!! I hadn't read" The complaints", but since Fox is in this book, I found it in the library and plan to read it this week.
This is probably not a good book to start with as there is much backstory needed. Also, there is a British TV series that I think I got opn Netflix and the actor was perfect!! May have to find that again.
This is probably not a good book to start with as there is much backstory needed. Also, there is a British TV series that I think I got opn Netflix and the actor was perfect!! May have to find that again.
June 1, 2024
Another Rebus page turner. He is working the cold case unit with other semi retired police. Of course Rebus uncovers a serial killer. The A9 is where several woman over a decade have disappeared.
Siobhan is there too along with Big Ger. I liked the story and Rebus’s doggedness in uncovering the murderer. The way that he gets him to confess is a little far fetched. Overall though a quick enjoyable read with the action set for a change out of Edinburgh.
Siobhan is there too along with Big Ger. I liked the story and Rebus’s doggedness in uncovering the murderer. The way that he gets him to confess is a little far fetched. Overall though a quick enjoyable read with the action set for a change out of Edinburgh.
January 22, 2013
Well I finished it, I have to atleast say that first. It took me 5 days, for those that know me this means it was very hard for me to keep reading and it didnt keep my interest since usually I can finish a book in a day or less if I'm really into it!
It was a crime/murder/suspense novel...to much nitty-gritty doesnt really make the story filler detials. The paragraphs were super long with never ending description or detial or just filler information that really didnt matter. There wasn't a whole lot of dialogue. For me it was just boring.
Then there is the ending...it just plain sucked! I mean if an ending to a murder myster can suck this was the book for it. I felt it just left things hanging, there was never a "this is the evidence, hes guilty. It was never proved beyond reasonable doubt, never worked through like most murder mysteries.
So boring, endless, and crappy ending, means I'll probably never pick up another book by this author again.
It was a crime/murder/suspense novel...to much nitty-gritty doesnt really make the story filler detials. The paragraphs were super long with never ending description or detial or just filler information that really didnt matter. There wasn't a whole lot of dialogue. For me it was just boring.
Then there is the ending...it just plain sucked! I mean if an ending to a murder myster can suck this was the book for it. I felt it just left things hanging, there was never a "this is the evidence, hes guilty. It was never proved beyond reasonable doubt, never worked through like most murder mysteries.
So boring, endless, and crappy ending, means I'll probably never pick up another book by this author again.
February 10, 2013
Rebus is back.
I never realised how much I missed him until I read this book. I never realised how much I missed the writing skills of Ian Rankin writing about Rebus. Now I do.
Rebus is working on cold cases, as a civilian. What else would he do after he reached the obligatory retirement age? I wasn’t sure if he was alive after Exit Music. He is, along with his arch enemy, Cafferty, whose life he saved.
Rebus stumbles across a series of missing person cases which he links together in spite of himself. When another young girl goes missing he finds himself in the centre of a murder investigation. He has to cope with a new generation of detectives and a strange digital world which changes everything, except for the crimes that men have always committed. Siobhan Clarke is now a DI and she is on his side.
Rebus also has Rankin’s other creation from The Complaints, Malcolm Fox, waiting for him to make a mistake.
Rankin is a brilliant storyteller. He has brought Rebus into the digital age without missing a beat. When is the next Rebus instalment due? Highly recommended.
I never realised how much I missed him until I read this book. I never realised how much I missed the writing skills of Ian Rankin writing about Rebus. Now I do.
Rebus is working on cold cases, as a civilian. What else would he do after he reached the obligatory retirement age? I wasn’t sure if he was alive after Exit Music. He is, along with his arch enemy, Cafferty, whose life he saved.
Rebus stumbles across a series of missing person cases which he links together in spite of himself. When another young girl goes missing he finds himself in the centre of a murder investigation. He has to cope with a new generation of detectives and a strange digital world which changes everything, except for the crimes that men have always committed. Siobhan Clarke is now a DI and she is on his side.
Rebus also has Rankin’s other creation from The Complaints, Malcolm Fox, waiting for him to make a mistake.
Rankin is a brilliant storyteller. He has brought Rebus into the digital age without missing a beat. When is the next Rebus instalment due? Highly recommended.
February 19, 2019
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
The book opens with Rebus at the funeral for another retired cop -- it's a strong reminder that there's not much else in his future. A few more drinks, another handful of cigarettes, a few more unfinished books and then death. He's got to find away to keep himself going. Having taken to retirement like a duck to the Sahara, Rebus has found work as a civilian in a cold-case unit. It doesn't seem to be the most effective or active unit, but it's something. True to form, he spends a lot of time butting heads with the head of the unit -- who is actually a serving detective, unlike the rest of the civilians. There's a chance when the book opens that Rebus could get re-hired as a detective, and he's looking for anything to help that. When someone comes to visit the man who started this unit -- who is now very retired and unavailable -- Rebus sees his chance. He meets with this woman who claims that the recent disappearance of a young woman matches the circumstances of her daughter over a decade ago. Not just her daughter's disappearance, but some others in the intervening years. If Rebus can demonstrate there's a tie to these disappearances -- and find out what's happened to them and who's responsible (preferably while the latest victim is still alive), that would go a long way to ensuring him a way back from retirement.
It doesn't hurt that before coming to him, this distraught mother spoke to someone about the new missing person -- DI Siobhan Clarke. Now, Clarke (and her boss) aren't instantly convinced that Rebus has anything other than the desperate rantings of this woman, but she's willing to give him enough rope to get started. Which is all Rebus needs to throw himself into things.
The latest woman to go missing has some tenuous connections to organized crime figures in Edinburgh, which may have made her a target -- and also may give Rebus resources to find her that other victims' families can't give. He's not shy about exploiting either option there. He also starts diving into the files and lives of the other missing women. What he finds isn't encouraging, but it's enough to keep investigation going. Rebus being Rebus, it's not long before he starts finding enough strings to pull to get at least a few things unraveling. And once that starts, the rest of the case is vintage Rebus -- asking questions, annoying the right (and the wrong) people, and finally putting everything together. The mystery is solved in a satisfactory way, but a lot of things were uncovered along the way that some would've preferred not being uncovered, relationships damaged, people hurt and lives changed. Even the positive outcomes were largely muddied, and the grays probably outnumbered the blacks and the whites.
Naturally, there's a lot going on in this book beside the case(s). In this book, this primarily focused on three people in Rebus' life (whether he wants them there or not).
One thing that's new in Rebus' retirement is that he's picked up a new drinking buddy. Big Ger Cafferty has decided that he owes his life to Rebus (something that Rebus isn't incredibly comfortable with). So Cafferty will take Rebus out for drinks on a regular basis. Rebus' impression of Big Ger hasn't changed at all, but free drinks are free drinks. so he lets Cafferty buy. The two of them being seen in public regularly together is proof to his detractors that all the rumors were true, however. This isn't really making his case for him.
Having Rebus around is a challenge for his old friend and former mentee, Siobhan Clarke. She knows that Rebus is capable of pulling more than his fair share of rabbits from hats, and with a case/cases as messy as this, she'll take his brand of results over nothing. But, he undercuts her leadership, he distracts her people from their tasks, and frankly, makes her look bad in front of her bosses. If she can't control this civilian interloper, maybe she's not the leader they thought she was. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think Siobhan of Exit Music and before wants to think she'd turn into the kind of DI she has, either. And Rebus makes her take stock of how much she may have "sold out" just by being around. Not that she's become 100% by the book and in blind lockstep with the chain of command, but she's a lot closer to it than she had been.
And, of course, we don't say goodbye to our new friend, Malcolm Fox. We just get to see him in a new light. He's now cast as an antagonist to Rebus. He's not a villain, don't get me wrong -- but he's working against Rebus, and definitely making his life harder. Of course, the way things were headed for much of this book, Siobhan might soon find herself as an antagonist to Rebus, too. It's difficult seeing Fox in these terms, but thankfully we know we can like and trust him from his own two books, because there's very little in these pages to commend him. But we know that Fox is a straight-shooter and he's only got Rebus in his sights because he thinks he deserves it. Well, and maybe he got his nose bent out of shape by the man when he was in CID with him. But primarily it's Rebus' lifestyle -- the smoking, the drinking, the going off on his own to investigate -- Fox sees Rebus as a relic, the old model of detective that the service is trying to get away from. The kind of bad influence that could tank Clarke's promising career. And then there's his public drinking with Cafferty (not to mention all the rumors about the two of them). We know Fox is wrong -- about the serious stuff anyway. But we also know he's not totally wrong about Rebus. The only question is, will Rebus be able to win Fox over, or will he be able to work around him?
I like the Fox-Rebus dynamic, in the short-term. But I think it could get really old, really fast.
It looks like the next book will have Rebus back in CID, which is a shame. In a sense. Now, let me explain myself before Paul (and maybe others) fills my inbox/comments with objections. I'm not opposed to Rebus becoming a detective again. But I like Rebus doing cold case work. When he's worked cold cases before -- whether out of curiosity or because they've been reopened -- he's done really well, and the resulting books were really good. Fox did pretty good with a cold case, too, let's not forget. In other words, Ian Rankin can write a very effective novel with his protagonists working cold cases, and I'd like to see Rebus doing nothing else for a while (especially as a civilian). Then again, we got a handful of Bosch novels doing that, why get greedy?
I enjoyed the Fox books, but this felt like coming home. It was only a few lines into the book before I think I "felt" the difference, we were back where we were supposed to be. I'm not sure how accurate that was then, but the book as a whole felt different than the Fox books did. Rankin kept a lot of plates spinning, balls in the air, or whatever cliché you want to use, here -- he brought back Rebus, shook up his life a bit more, showed that Clarke was doing fine on her own, brought Fox in, showed what post-Big Ger Edinburgh was like, set up the next stage of Rebus' career, and managed to tell a heckuva twisty murder/missing persons story. He probably accomplished a few other things, too, but that list is enough. Standing in Another Man's Grave is just another bit of proof that Rankin is among the genre's crème de la crème.
---
Rebus had lost count of the number of cases he’d worked, cases often as complex as this one, requiring interview after interview, statement after statement. He thought of the material in the boxes, now being pared over by those around him--paperwork generated in order to show effort rather than with any great hope of achieving a result. Yes, he’d been on cases like that, and others where he’d despaired of all the doors knocked on, the blank faces of the questioned. But sometimes a due or a lead emerged, or two people came forward to furnish the same name. Suspects were whittled down. Alibis and stories unraveling after the third or fourth retelling. Pressure was sustained, enough evidence garnered to present to the Procurator Fiscal.
And then there were the lucky breaks--the things that just happened. Nothing to do with dogged perseverance or shrewd deduction: just sheer bloody happenstance. Was the end result any less of a victory? Yes, always. It was possible that there was something he had missed in the files, some connection or thread. Watching the team at work, he couldn’t decide if he would want them to find it or not. It would make him look stupid, lazy, out of touch. On the other hand, they needed a break, even at the expense of his vanity.
The book opens with Rebus at the funeral for another retired cop -- it's a strong reminder that there's not much else in his future. A few more drinks, another handful of cigarettes, a few more unfinished books and then death. He's got to find away to keep himself going. Having taken to retirement like a duck to the Sahara, Rebus has found work as a civilian in a cold-case unit. It doesn't seem to be the most effective or active unit, but it's something. True to form, he spends a lot of time butting heads with the head of the unit -- who is actually a serving detective, unlike the rest of the civilians. There's a chance when the book opens that Rebus could get re-hired as a detective, and he's looking for anything to help that. When someone comes to visit the man who started this unit -- who is now very retired and unavailable -- Rebus sees his chance. He meets with this woman who claims that the recent disappearance of a young woman matches the circumstances of her daughter over a decade ago. Not just her daughter's disappearance, but some others in the intervening years. If Rebus can demonstrate there's a tie to these disappearances -- and find out what's happened to them and who's responsible (preferably while the latest victim is still alive), that would go a long way to ensuring him a way back from retirement.
It doesn't hurt that before coming to him, this distraught mother spoke to someone about the new missing person -- DI Siobhan Clarke. Now, Clarke (and her boss) aren't instantly convinced that Rebus has anything other than the desperate rantings of this woman, but she's willing to give him enough rope to get started. Which is all Rebus needs to throw himself into things.
The latest woman to go missing has some tenuous connections to organized crime figures in Edinburgh, which may have made her a target -- and also may give Rebus resources to find her that other victims' families can't give. He's not shy about exploiting either option there. He also starts diving into the files and lives of the other missing women. What he finds isn't encouraging, but it's enough to keep investigation going. Rebus being Rebus, it's not long before he starts finding enough strings to pull to get at least a few things unraveling. And once that starts, the rest of the case is vintage Rebus -- asking questions, annoying the right (and the wrong) people, and finally putting everything together. The mystery is solved in a satisfactory way, but a lot of things were uncovered along the way that some would've preferred not being uncovered, relationships damaged, people hurt and lives changed. Even the positive outcomes were largely muddied, and the grays probably outnumbered the blacks and the whites.
Naturally, there's a lot going on in this book beside the case(s). In this book, this primarily focused on three people in Rebus' life (whether he wants them there or not).
One thing that's new in Rebus' retirement is that he's picked up a new drinking buddy. Big Ger Cafferty has decided that he owes his life to Rebus (something that Rebus isn't incredibly comfortable with). So Cafferty will take Rebus out for drinks on a regular basis. Rebus' impression of Big Ger hasn't changed at all, but free drinks are free drinks. so he lets Cafferty buy. The two of them being seen in public regularly together is proof to his detractors that all the rumors were true, however. This isn't really making his case for him.
Having Rebus around is a challenge for his old friend and former mentee, Siobhan Clarke. She knows that Rebus is capable of pulling more than his fair share of rabbits from hats, and with a case/cases as messy as this, she'll take his brand of results over nothing. But, he undercuts her leadership, he distracts her people from their tasks, and frankly, makes her look bad in front of her bosses. If she can't control this civilian interloper, maybe she's not the leader they thought she was. Maybe it's just me, but I don't think Siobhan of Exit Music and before wants to think she'd turn into the kind of DI she has, either. And Rebus makes her take stock of how much she may have "sold out" just by being around. Not that she's become 100% by the book and in blind lockstep with the chain of command, but she's a lot closer to it than she had been.
And, of course, we don't say goodbye to our new friend, Malcolm Fox. We just get to see him in a new light. He's now cast as an antagonist to Rebus. He's not a villain, don't get me wrong -- but he's working against Rebus, and definitely making his life harder. Of course, the way things were headed for much of this book, Siobhan might soon find herself as an antagonist to Rebus, too. It's difficult seeing Fox in these terms, but thankfully we know we can like and trust him from his own two books, because there's very little in these pages to commend him. But we know that Fox is a straight-shooter and he's only got Rebus in his sights because he thinks he deserves it. Well, and maybe he got his nose bent out of shape by the man when he was in CID with him. But primarily it's Rebus' lifestyle -- the smoking, the drinking, the going off on his own to investigate -- Fox sees Rebus as a relic, the old model of detective that the service is trying to get away from. The kind of bad influence that could tank Clarke's promising career. And then there's his public drinking with Cafferty (not to mention all the rumors about the two of them). We know Fox is wrong -- about the serious stuff anyway. But we also know he's not totally wrong about Rebus. The only question is, will Rebus be able to win Fox over, or will he be able to work around him?
I like the Fox-Rebus dynamic, in the short-term. But I think it could get really old, really fast.
It looks like the next book will have Rebus back in CID, which is a shame. In a sense. Now, let me explain myself before Paul (and maybe others) fills my inbox/comments with objections. I'm not opposed to Rebus becoming a detective again. But I like Rebus doing cold case work. When he's worked cold cases before -- whether out of curiosity or because they've been reopened -- he's done really well, and the resulting books were really good. Fox did pretty good with a cold case, too, let's not forget. In other words, Ian Rankin can write a very effective novel with his protagonists working cold cases, and I'd like to see Rebus doing nothing else for a while (especially as a civilian). Then again, we got a handful of Bosch novels doing that, why get greedy?
I enjoyed the Fox books, but this felt like coming home. It was only a few lines into the book before I think I "felt" the difference, we were back where we were supposed to be. I'm not sure how accurate that was then, but the book as a whole felt different than the Fox books did. Rankin kept a lot of plates spinning, balls in the air, or whatever cliché you want to use, here -- he brought back Rebus, shook up his life a bit more, showed that Clarke was doing fine on her own, brought Fox in, showed what post-Big Ger Edinburgh was like, set up the next stage of Rebus' career, and managed to tell a heckuva twisty murder/missing persons story. He probably accomplished a few other things, too, but that list is enough. Standing in Another Man's Grave is just another bit of proof that Rankin is among the genre's crème de la crème.
March 11, 2013
Eighteenth in the Detective Inspector Rebus mystery series revolving around ex-DI Rebus in Edinburgh while being third in the Inspector Malcolm Fox mystery series revolving around Rebus' nemesis in the Complaints.
My Take
I was so not expecting Rankin to pop up with another Rebus book...and I am absolutely thrilled that he did. Rebus had retired in Exit Music , 17, back in 2007, and Rankin has him popping back up as a civilian working with the cold case squad. There's just a hint of possibility that Rebus may get taken back now that they raised the retirement age...and from the work Rebus does in this story, the Edinburgh police would be nuts not to take him. I am definitely curious as to which way Siobhan ends up swinging. She's had a bit of time in which to see Page operate, and now it's back to Rebus' free wheeling methods which end in results. Hmmm...
It is interesting that Rankin's newest series, Malcolm Fox, intersects with this. As the names Tony and Joe Naysmith cropped up, I couldn't figure out why they sounded so familiar until I was checking my notes. Uh-huh, it will be interesting to see what pops in the fourth Malcolm Fox. And if there's a nineteenth Rebus!
Rankin has certainly left the possibilities open for it.
This particular story leaves me wondering if Rebus is right and it is just ego that's got Fox ticked off. Especially when there's such ground opening up under other policemen who should be investigated. Tony definitely has his own questions about Fox's obsession. Another interesting venue to explore.
The new bad guy whom Rankin has introduced is a new complication, and I'll be curious to see what Rebus, Clarke, and Cafferty do about him.
I can see where Complaints would be concerned about a cop hobnobbing with a crook, but then again, where else are the cops going to get information?
Oh man, Rebus does have fun with DCI James Page with Led Zeppelin song titles.
Really, it was pretty stupid of Hammell to be so trusting with someone whose family he's screwed over. Then there's Dempsey's attitude. Gimme a break. She's equating Rebus with every other Tom, Dick, or Harry calling in with tips? When he's the one who broke it?
You can't help but love Rebus for all his drinking when he's the one out getting things accomplished while those above him are more worried about camera face-time, playing groupie, and lunching with the higher-ups. That and he's taking the piss out of everyone! It's a different sort of business-as-usual with Rebus, and we're the richer for it.
The Story
It's a colder case than usual that finds Rebus pushing people's bells. One that will tear the socks off a variety of participants and leave Rebus questioning what he truly wants.
The Characters
RETIRED Detective Inspector (DI) John Rebus is working in Serious Crime Review Unit (SCRU), the cold case squad, as a civilian and still enjoying his music. His daughter, Samanatha, is either shacked up or married to Keith, and they're trying to get pregnant.
The cops at Gayfield Square in Edinburgh include:
DI Siobhan Clarke is doing well for herself. Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) James Page is all for first names and looking good for the cameras. He's also doing Siobhan. Other cops include Ronnie Ogilvie, Detective Constable (DC) Christine Esson is their computer person, and DC Dave Ormiston has a bit going on the side.
Fellow retired cops in SCRU
Hmmm, do you think there's a hidden message in that acronym? Detective Sergeant (DS) Daniel Cowan is in charge, and he's one of those more interested in his own progress rather than case progress. Retired DC Elaine Robison and retired DI Peter Bliss work away at the cases along with Rebus.
The Complaints
Inspector Malcolm Fox wants too badly to catch Rebus at anything while Tony Kaye has his doubts and Joe Naysmith is just along for the ride.
The cops at Northern include:
DCS Gillian Dempsey is reckoned to be brilliant. Gavin Arnold is a flexible cop, even if he's not so hot at darts.
Nina Hazlitt is bugging Rebus about her daughter Sally who went missing along the A9 back in 1999. Other missing persons include Zoe Beddows.
Annette McKie is the latest to go missing. Her mum, Gail McKie, is devastated. Fortunately, another crime boss, Frank Hammell, is in the wings to support her. Derek Christie is Gail's ex. Darryl Christie is their eighteen-year-old son, Annette's older brother. A very quiet, observant lad with big plans. Joseph and Cal are the younger brothers.
DI Gregor Magrath retired some years ago after he started up the Serious Crime Review Unit. Kenny Magrath is his brother and an electrician; Maggie is his loyal wife.
Cafferty is still around and kicking, even though he's "retired". He's quite appreciative of Rebus bringing him back from the dead.
Thomas Robertson has a form and was conveniently placed on the road crew on the A9. Bill Soames is in charge and Stefan Skiladz is the interpreter. Susie Mercer has some useful information as does the farmer, Jim Mellon. Ruby is the cadaver dog. Raymond is Dempsey's nephew and a journalist.
The Cover
The cover is a metaphor for what it's all about: hitchhiking down a lonely road.
Oh, no kidding! It opens with a grave and closes with one, with at least one man Standing in Another Man's Grave.
My Take
I was so not expecting Rankin to pop up with another Rebus book...and I am absolutely thrilled that he did. Rebus had retired in Exit Music , 17, back in 2007, and Rankin has him popping back up as a civilian working with the cold case squad. There's just a hint of possibility that Rebus may get taken back now that they raised the retirement age...and from the work Rebus does in this story, the Edinburgh police would be nuts not to take him. I am definitely curious as to which way Siobhan ends up swinging. She's had a bit of time in which to see Page operate, and now it's back to Rebus' free wheeling methods which end in results. Hmmm...
It is interesting that Rankin's newest series, Malcolm Fox, intersects with this. As the names Tony and Joe Naysmith cropped up, I couldn't figure out why they sounded so familiar until I was checking my notes. Uh-huh, it will be interesting to see what pops in the fourth Malcolm Fox. And if there's a nineteenth Rebus!
Rankin has certainly left the possibilities open for it.
This particular story leaves me wondering if Rebus is right and it is just ego that's got Fox ticked off. Especially when there's such ground opening up under other policemen who should be investigated. Tony definitely has his own questions about Fox's obsession. Another interesting venue to explore.
The new bad guy whom Rankin has introduced is a new complication, and I'll be curious to see what Rebus, Clarke, and Cafferty do about him.
I can see where Complaints would be concerned about a cop hobnobbing with a crook, but then again, where else are the cops going to get information?
Oh man, Rebus does have fun with DCI James Page with Led Zeppelin song titles.
Really, it was pretty stupid of Hammell to be so trusting with someone whose family he's screwed over. Then there's Dempsey's attitude. Gimme a break. She's equating Rebus with every other Tom, Dick, or Harry calling in with tips? When he's the one who broke it?
You can't help but love Rebus for all his drinking when he's the one out getting things accomplished while those above him are more worried about camera face-time, playing groupie, and lunching with the higher-ups. That and he's taking the piss out of everyone! It's a different sort of business-as-usual with Rebus, and we're the richer for it.
The Story
It's a colder case than usual that finds Rebus pushing people's bells. One that will tear the socks off a variety of participants and leave Rebus questioning what he truly wants.
The Characters
RETIRED Detective Inspector (DI) John Rebus is working in Serious Crime Review Unit (SCRU), the cold case squad, as a civilian and still enjoying his music. His daughter, Samanatha, is either shacked up or married to Keith, and they're trying to get pregnant.
The cops at Gayfield Square in Edinburgh include:
DI Siobhan Clarke is doing well for herself. Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) James Page is all for first names and looking good for the cameras. He's also doing Siobhan. Other cops include Ronnie Ogilvie, Detective Constable (DC) Christine Esson is their computer person, and DC Dave Ormiston has a bit going on the side.
Fellow retired cops in SCRU
Hmmm, do you think there's a hidden message in that acronym? Detective Sergeant (DS) Daniel Cowan is in charge, and he's one of those more interested in his own progress rather than case progress. Retired DC Elaine Robison and retired DI Peter Bliss work away at the cases along with Rebus.
The Complaints
Inspector Malcolm Fox wants too badly to catch Rebus at anything while Tony Kaye has his doubts and Joe Naysmith is just along for the ride.
The cops at Northern include:
DCS Gillian Dempsey is reckoned to be brilliant. Gavin Arnold is a flexible cop, even if he's not so hot at darts.
Nina Hazlitt is bugging Rebus about her daughter Sally who went missing along the A9 back in 1999. Other missing persons include Zoe Beddows.
Annette McKie is the latest to go missing. Her mum, Gail McKie, is devastated. Fortunately, another crime boss, Frank Hammell, is in the wings to support her. Derek Christie is Gail's ex. Darryl Christie is their eighteen-year-old son, Annette's older brother. A very quiet, observant lad with big plans. Joseph and Cal are the younger brothers.
DI Gregor Magrath retired some years ago after he started up the Serious Crime Review Unit. Kenny Magrath is his brother and an electrician; Maggie is his loyal wife.
Cafferty is still around and kicking, even though he's "retired". He's quite appreciative of Rebus bringing him back from the dead.
Thomas Robertson has a form and was conveniently placed on the road crew on the A9. Bill Soames is in charge and Stefan Skiladz is the interpreter. Susie Mercer has some useful information as does the farmer, Jim Mellon. Ruby is the cadaver dog. Raymond is Dempsey's nephew and a journalist.
The Cover
The cover is a metaphor for what it's all about: hitchhiking down a lonely road.
Oh, no kidding! It opens with a grave and closes with one, with at least one man Standing in Another Man's Grave.
January 28, 2013
I've been reading Ian Rankin's John Rebus novels for close to a decade and have always had a love-hate relationship with this Edinburgh detective. I'm not alone. Rebus's cynical, impulsive, abrasive, self-destructive ways can play like fingernails on a chalkboard, making it hard for all but a few of the other characters to tolerate, much less "like" John - (poor DS Siobhan Clarke, how does she put up with him?). But despite Rebus' expertly drawn flaws, the curmudgeon gets his hooks in you. And it becomes obvious, anyone who tries as hard as Rebus to prove he doesn't care about anyone or anything has to be hiding something ... like how much he cares.
When Rankin retired Rebus in Exit Music - the 17th Rebus novel - and introduced a new Edinburgh character (Malcolm Fox) in (and of) The Complaints (think Internal Affairs in U.S. police terms) - it felt like a huge loss to me. Rebus hadn't run his course - and of course, Big Ger Cafferty, king of the Edinburgh underworld, was out of jail and needed someone to keep a careful - and obsessive - eye on him. There are lead characters that grow more and more weary with each passing novel - but Rebus was worn out and washed up when we first met him. If the chain smoking hadn't killed him yet, why put him out to pasture? Maybe Rankin planned for retirement to do to Rebus what Cafferty considered doing countless times but never did. (Grudging respect? A sense of kinship?)
I also knew I'd miss the old school rock and roll or blues music suggestions. It's always been a bonus to read through what's on Rebus' playlist in each novel, though he still favors his LPs with the comfortable hiss and pops between tracks over CDs or digital music (horrors!) for his late night melancholy as he looks out the window of his flat, a quickly disappearing bottle of Lagavulin at his side.
Standing In Another Man's Grave was a fabulous vehicle to bring Rebus back where he belongs, in the middle of a bloody crime scene. Interesting, I thought Rankin drew a bit much from a theme and process found in my least favorite Rebus novel, Fleshmarket Alley - (Rebus took a strong and clear and moral political stance, which I thought was a out of character - he normally couldn't be bothered with what the bloody politicians were up to unless it was murder). But having him work as a civilian investigator on cold case files - including a missing person case that may have multiple and current connections - creates the conditions for a triumphant return - even if his boss wishes he would crawl back under a rock.
I would note that Rankin has done as good or better of a job keeping Rebus true to form as any series novelist. That's why reviewing an individual book doesn't seem as important to me as asking if Rebus is really back. Is he?
He's still loathed and feared by colleagues and criminals alike. He still won't give you the time of day unless you have something he needs. He's still the character I hate to love or love to hate most in my commercial crime reading. But even if he has one foot in the grave - or both in another man's grave - he's back, and that's what matters.
When Rankin retired Rebus in Exit Music - the 17th Rebus novel - and introduced a new Edinburgh character (Malcolm Fox) in (and of) The Complaints (think Internal Affairs in U.S. police terms) - it felt like a huge loss to me. Rebus hadn't run his course - and of course, Big Ger Cafferty, king of the Edinburgh underworld, was out of jail and needed someone to keep a careful - and obsessive - eye on him. There are lead characters that grow more and more weary with each passing novel - but Rebus was worn out and washed up when we first met him. If the chain smoking hadn't killed him yet, why put him out to pasture? Maybe Rankin planned for retirement to do to Rebus what Cafferty considered doing countless times but never did. (Grudging respect? A sense of kinship?)
I also knew I'd miss the old school rock and roll or blues music suggestions. It's always been a bonus to read through what's on Rebus' playlist in each novel, though he still favors his LPs with the comfortable hiss and pops between tracks over CDs or digital music (horrors!) for his late night melancholy as he looks out the window of his flat, a quickly disappearing bottle of Lagavulin at his side.
Standing In Another Man's Grave was a fabulous vehicle to bring Rebus back where he belongs, in the middle of a bloody crime scene. Interesting, I thought Rankin drew a bit much from a theme and process found in my least favorite Rebus novel, Fleshmarket Alley - (Rebus took a strong and clear and moral political stance, which I thought was a out of character - he normally couldn't be bothered with what the bloody politicians were up to unless it was murder). But having him work as a civilian investigator on cold case files - including a missing person case that may have multiple and current connections - creates the conditions for a triumphant return - even if his boss wishes he would crawl back under a rock.
I would note that Rankin has done as good or better of a job keeping Rebus true to form as any series novelist. That's why reviewing an individual book doesn't seem as important to me as asking if Rebus is really back. Is he?
He's still loathed and feared by colleagues and criminals alike. He still won't give you the time of day unless you have something he needs. He's still the character I hate to love or love to hate most in my commercial crime reading. But even if he has one foot in the grave - or both in another man's grave - he's back, and that's what matters.
February 12, 2013
Ian Rankins Rebus series is one of the most popular mystery writers internationally, though he is not that well known in the US. He is my favorite, and Rebus is my favorite detective, bar none, so my rating is probably higher than yours would be.
As always, Rebus' life has become more miserable than in the last book. He has been forced to retire and now is working in a cold case group. He misses the murder squad and his long-time partner Siobhan, which for several decades made up most of his life.
Rebus still walks around with his finger raised to authority, and they hate it just as much as always. He's the kind of guy that many hate because he is brilliant at what he does, and they are not. He seems to be drinking a little less than in the past, though he still sleeps many nights in his old armchair looking out on the streets of Edinburgh. Speaking of which, every time I hear Edinburgh mentioned, I automatically wonder how Rebus is getting along, before I remember that he's not a real person.
Mr. Rankin stopped writing this series for about seven or eight years, and I was bereft. My only hope was that all his other readers would find his thriller novels a big bust like I did. Finally, in January, my prayers were answered when Rankin buckled and a new Rebus novel was released.
I'm never happier than when riding around in Rebus' head. He's a darkly funny man who doesn't respect much but has a deep sense of justice. I was just reviewing another detective, Jonathon Rabb's Detective Hoffner. Hoffner solves puzzles; Rebus seeks justice. Rebus and Hoffner both see that unsavory characters are just as complex as their own bosses. There is no black and white.
I don't think this is the best Rebus book. I've read every one twice and can't really pick out a favorite. The one that sticks in my mind the most is The Hanging Garden, but there are others I remember whose names I can't sort out. Pick any one, and you might get hooked and ride around Scotland in Rebus' head, too.
As always, Rebus' life has become more miserable than in the last book. He has been forced to retire and now is working in a cold case group. He misses the murder squad and his long-time partner Siobhan, which for several decades made up most of his life.
Rebus still walks around with his finger raised to authority, and they hate it just as much as always. He's the kind of guy that many hate because he is brilliant at what he does, and they are not. He seems to be drinking a little less than in the past, though he still sleeps many nights in his old armchair looking out on the streets of Edinburgh. Speaking of which, every time I hear Edinburgh mentioned, I automatically wonder how Rebus is getting along, before I remember that he's not a real person.
Mr. Rankin stopped writing this series for about seven or eight years, and I was bereft. My only hope was that all his other readers would find his thriller novels a big bust like I did. Finally, in January, my prayers were answered when Rankin buckled and a new Rebus novel was released.
I'm never happier than when riding around in Rebus' head. He's a darkly funny man who doesn't respect much but has a deep sense of justice. I was just reviewing another detective, Jonathon Rabb's Detective Hoffner. Hoffner solves puzzles; Rebus seeks justice. Rebus and Hoffner both see that unsavory characters are just as complex as their own bosses. There is no black and white.
I don't think this is the best Rebus book. I've read every one twice and can't really pick out a favorite. The one that sticks in my mind the most is The Hanging Garden, but there are others I remember whose names I can't sort out. Pick any one, and you might get hooked and ride around Scotland in Rebus' head, too.
February 6, 2020
Standard Rebus fare.
I get it, I really do. It's about the journey, it's about spending time with Rebus, watching him drink, sharing his thoughts and his loneliness.
I just wish the plots were a bit better.
I also wish Siobhan would see how much he loves her. I'm sure she does but she can't face spending her life with him.
Yet again Rebus bimbles around drinking loads and somehow stumbles into all the right people, who give him the crucial clues.
As usual, he catches the bad guy by fair means or foul - mostly foul - when the cops can't see what is right in front of them.
I did hope for a twist and waited expectantly for the last page.
Alas, there was no twist.
This is Rebus.
"Whit ye see, is whit ye get, son.
Dae ye ken?"
I get it, I really do. It's about the journey, it's about spending time with Rebus, watching him drink, sharing his thoughts and his loneliness.
I just wish the plots were a bit better.
I also wish Siobhan would see how much he loves her. I'm sure she does but she can't face spending her life with him.
Yet again Rebus bimbles around drinking loads and somehow stumbles into all the right people, who give him the crucial clues.
As usual, he catches the bad guy by fair means or foul - mostly foul - when the cops can't see what is right in front of them.
I did hope for a twist and waited expectantly for the last page.
Alas, there was no twist.
This is Rebus.
"Whit ye see, is whit ye get, son.
Dae ye ken?"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2015
Another healthy offering from the pen of Ian Rankin. Although no longer an active policeman John Rebus is still actively solving crime as he drinks his way into criminal oblivion making a few enemies and taking a few casualties along the way.....
November 6, 2021
Definitely one of Ian Rankin’s best. This book made me appreciate him as a “writer” and not just a story teller.
Read soon after it was published, before I joined Goodreads.
Read soon after it was published, before I joined Goodreads.
February 1, 2017
In this busy book, Rebus is working cold cases. He is approached by a woman about her missing daughter and her belief that a number of missing girls along the A9 are linked, going back a period of 20 years or so.
"'I'm not an inspector,' he replied quietly. 'I used to be, but these days I'm retired. I work for the police in a civilian capacity. Outside of Cold Cases, I have no authority, which means I'm not much use to you.'... A single tear began to trace its way down her left cheek. 'Sally was only the first...'"
And so it begins, Rebus is caught by the need and the possibility of a serial killer. Of course, Rebus being Rebus, he gets his man despite being investigated by Complaints and despite Cafferty the gangster, a man whose life he saved, weaving plots to get him under his thumb.
He works with Clarke and agrees that his way is not the new way to work cases. "Ninety percent of the stuff...is beyond me." Clarke replies, "You're vinyl, we're digital?" "Contacts used to be the way you got things done. The only network that mattered was the one out there on the street."
But readers value the difference.
I appreciated this book for the concentration on the determination of Rebus in adverse conditions vs gruesome details about murdered young women. It's about police work.
"'I'm not an inspector,' he replied quietly. 'I used to be, but these days I'm retired. I work for the police in a civilian capacity. Outside of Cold Cases, I have no authority, which means I'm not much use to you.'... A single tear began to trace its way down her left cheek. 'Sally was only the first...'"
And so it begins, Rebus is caught by the need and the possibility of a serial killer. Of course, Rebus being Rebus, he gets his man despite being investigated by Complaints and despite Cafferty the gangster, a man whose life he saved, weaving plots to get him under his thumb.
He works with Clarke and agrees that his way is not the new way to work cases. "Ninety percent of the stuff...is beyond me." Clarke replies, "You're vinyl, we're digital?" "Contacts used to be the way you got things done. The only network that mattered was the one out there on the street."
But readers value the difference.
I appreciated this book for the concentration on the determination of Rebus in adverse conditions vs gruesome details about murdered young women. It's about police work.
March 26, 2016
When Rebus hit sixty and was forced to retire, the introduction of Malcolm Fox left me wondering whether Ian Rankin was finally changing direction. As did many of his followers, I guess!
Standing in Another Man's Grave sees the return of the cantankerous Rebus, only this time as a civilian assisting in a cold case file. Nothing has changed, it's still the same old Rebus with all of his his heady drinking habits. Not the best in the series, but Ranking knows how to deliver, so its five stars for me.
Standing in Another Man's Grave sees the return of the cantankerous Rebus, only this time as a civilian assisting in a cold case file. Nothing has changed, it's still the same old Rebus with all of his his heady drinking habits. Not the best in the series, but Ranking knows how to deliver, so its five stars for me.
July 17, 2013
Rebus is back but I found this book a bit rambling, taking a long time to get to any conclusion, with confusing subplots. Rebus seems to do nothing but 1) smoke 2) drink and 3) drive Up and down and across Scotland.
July 26, 2025
Rebus #18 was better than most in the series, not much action but that’s not the author’s intent. An excellent police procedural with well developed characters that he was able to establish with more depth than I’d expected.
Rebus’s smoking and drinking has’t slowed down in retirement, and he still has his wits about him. He’s showing signs of becoming more appreciative of his seldom seen daughter, but he’s still grumpy and his sense of humor is as dry as an old corn husk.
Rebus’s smoking and drinking has’t slowed down in retirement, and he still has his wits about him. He’s showing signs of becoming more appreciative of his seldom seen daughter, but he’s still grumpy and his sense of humor is as dry as an old corn husk.
December 3, 2024
τέλειο!!!!!!!
July 7, 2016
Another great Rebus mystery by Ian Rankin. This one is set after Rebus's retirement where he's housed as a civilian with a couple of other retired cops solving cold cases. With the age of retirement being raised Rebus is also seriously considering applying for reinstatement. You'd think he'd wish to be on his best behavior in order to have his application accepted but no, not Rebus. Even as an outsider on the force he's still making trouble for his new supervisor in the Cold Case squad and his old partner, Siobhan in his former squad. All the while staying one step ahead of Malcolm Fox in The Complaints who's investigating him for shady ties with Edinburgh's notorious gangster, Big Ger Cafferty. It is a fascinating mystery Rebus gets himself enmeshed in. A series of missing person cases along the northern A9 freeway are tied together for Rebus by a needy mother who's daughter, missing for 12 years appears to be the first of the group. The mother makes a compelling enough case to entice Rebus to pressure Siobhan and his old unit to investigate further. As with all novels in this terrific series, seemingly separate incidences slowly and effectively become interrelated resulting in an interesting and complex story. As always, John Rebus, a character so complex and multi-faceted, doggedly pursues the case, not caring one whit who he frustrates or angers in the process.
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