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Inspector Rebus #3.5 & 13.5 & Extra Material
The Beat Goes On: The Complete Rebus Stories
There is no detective like Ian Rankin's Detective Inspector John Rebus, a man The New Yorker calls "the ideal sleuth."
Brilliant, irascible and frequently frustrating to both his friends and his long-suffering bosses, John Rebus has made the dark places of Edinburgh his home for over two decades. THE BEAT GOES ON collects all of Ian Rankin's Rebus short stories for the first time, including two never-before published tales written specifically for this collection. From his beginnings as a young Detective Constable right up to his dramatic, but not quite final, retirement, Rebus shines as he investigates the sinister cases that are his specialty including a gruesome student death, the brutal murder of a woman at the crux of a love triangle, and an audacious jewel heist. THE BEAT GOES ON confirms once again that DI John Rebus is "one of the great modern cops" (Washington Post).
Brilliant, irascible and frequently frustrating to both his friends and his long-suffering bosses, John Rebus has made the dark places of Edinburgh his home for over two decades. THE BEAT GOES ON collects all of Ian Rankin's Rebus short stories for the first time, including two never-before published tales written specifically for this collection. From his beginnings as a young Detective Constable right up to his dramatic, but not quite final, retirement, Rebus shines as he investigates the sinister cases that are his specialty including a gruesome student death, the brutal murder of a woman at the crux of a love triangle, and an audacious jewel heist. THE BEAT GOES ON confirms once again that DI John Rebus is "one of the great modern cops" (Washington Post).
496 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 2014
439 people are currently reading
2343 people want to read
About the author
Ian Rankin
423 books6,529 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 301 reviews
August 16, 2022
The thing about any Rebus story is that the plot is the least of it. The twists and turns are there alright, and pretty satisfying they are too, but that’s not what keeps bringing me back to visit the world of this Edinburgh detective. The big thing - the constant draw – is the descriptions of the people and of the place. The characters are a broad mix, from the posh and pompous to the snarky and mean and then the downright nasty. It’s the dialogue that brings them alive: broad use of the vernacular, a dry Scottish humour never far from the lips and the effortless authenticity of the banter. It just feels right. And the place - the city itself – with its big old houses, long broad avenues but also dim unseen spaces and damp rotting rooms is a huge presence in these stories. The descriptions are bristling with detail and atmosphere. It’s to the dark underbelly of the city that Rankin likes to take us, ever reminding us that behind the city’s bright façade there lurks something else, something ugly.
Add to that, on this occasion, the fact that the audiobook I listened to was read by the unsurpassable James Macpherson – a voice that embodies everything about the character of John Rebus, with his lilting tone and spot-on phrasing. The 30 plus stories flew by far too fast. It would feel churlish to single out favourites, so I won’t try. The overall quality is very high. The mood of the pieces varies: some stories are light and wryly amusing, others dark and unnerving. Most are of typical short story length but there is one longer tale here too. My feeling is that this collection is best read (or listened to) over an extended period, allowing space for the individual stories to breathe. I think there’s just too much density to the tales to allow constant immersion in this collection. And why spoil it, take your time and make it last.
In terms of Rebus short stories this is the mother lode and to top it off Rankin has added a piece at the end explaining how he began writing and how this led, eventually, to Rebus. Fascinating stuff! This book will suit existing fans of Rankin’s work, lovers of crime fiction in general and, in fact, anyone who appreciates a well turned phrase. He’s a class act is Mr Rankin. Miss this one at your peril.
Add to that, on this occasion, the fact that the audiobook I listened to was read by the unsurpassable James Macpherson – a voice that embodies everything about the character of John Rebus, with his lilting tone and spot-on phrasing. The 30 plus stories flew by far too fast. It would feel churlish to single out favourites, so I won’t try. The overall quality is very high. The mood of the pieces varies: some stories are light and wryly amusing, others dark and unnerving. Most are of typical short story length but there is one longer tale here too. My feeling is that this collection is best read (or listened to) over an extended period, allowing space for the individual stories to breathe. I think there’s just too much density to the tales to allow constant immersion in this collection. And why spoil it, take your time and make it last.
In terms of Rebus short stories this is the mother lode and to top it off Rankin has added a piece at the end explaining how he began writing and how this led, eventually, to Rebus. Fascinating stuff! This book will suit existing fans of Rankin’s work, lovers of crime fiction in general and, in fact, anyone who appreciates a well turned phrase. He’s a class act is Mr Rankin. Miss this one at your peril.
September 30, 2017
Published in 2014, this book contains all of the short stories featuring Ian Rankin's John Rebus that were written up to that point. There are thirty-one stories in all; they are uniformly good, and are just the right length when you're looking for a good short story to read just before falling to sleep. Any fan of the Rebus series will certainly want to seek this out.
June 30, 2022
"Rebus hadn't made many friends in his adult life, but he had his network of contacts and he was proud of it as any grandparent would be of their extended family."
So good to be back on the mean streets of Edinburgh. And with the perfect tourist guide John Rebus.
Truth be told, I've had this book for a long time. But as I always say "right book, right time." I've been having a bit of a hard time focusing on reading lately. Not from any lack of an abundance of great books waiting to be read. Just "life".
I picked this up the other Friday night, and soon settled in with my old friend Rebus. In an ever changing world, and a world gone mad, you can depend on him.
With John Rebus, Ian Rankin has created a rock solid character. One of my favourites. He is irascible but fair. I love that he is a black sheep and is prepared to stick his neck out for what he believes in. He'll follow his instincts through to the bitter end. Damn the consequences. Or the brass.
" 'I know you said this was personal, John, but why the interest?'
'I'm not sure I can explain.' There were words - community, history, memory - but Rebus didn't think they'd be enough."
But for his seemingly prickly exterior, that's seen it all and then some, there beats a sentimental heart. Which Rebus keeps hidden well.
"If I died tonight, he thought, what would I bequeath to the world? Looking around, the answer was: nothing. The thought scared him, and most of all it made him want a drink, and not just one drink but a dozen".
He's such a complex character. With many demons keeping him company.
Edinburgh is the perfect backdrop for Rebus. Traditional. A genteel city, whose pristine exterior contrasts with an active underbelly.
" Officers from other cities, people Rebus met from time to time, would remark how cushy he had it in Edinburgh. Such a beautiful place, and prosperous. So little crime. They thought a dangerous city had to look dangerous.
The city hid its secrets well, and its vices too."
This collection of short stories was just the tonic, and so easy to get comfortable with. Get snug, put my feet up, and peep over Rebus' shoulder.
A favourite of mine is a story titled Sunday. My favourite day of the week. Yes - talk about synchronicity - today is Sunday. The day of rest, which even Rebus has off. Or does he?
"That's what Sunday was all about, wasn't it? Maybe he could try one of the crosswords. It was ages since he'd done a crossword. A glass of wine and a crossword...Glanced at his watch again. It was half past eleven. A bit early to be drinking. Cheers.
You could break the rules on a Sunday, couldn't you?"
This offering contains all of Rebus' short stories, which originally appeared in A Good Hanging and Other Stories and Beggars Banquet. I read both of these anthologies when they were released, but that was a long time ago. Truth be told I'd forgotten most of them. So these were still very enjoyable to "re-read". The novella Death is Not The End is thrown in for good measure, along with a couple of newbies, which I'd not previously read. I enjoyed them all.
For all the grimness and never ending grind that Rebus has to deal with, I'd forgotten how funny he can be. Some of the stories had me quite amused. Check out Monstrous Trumpet, very cheeky. Santa Claus makes an appearance or two (yes, he is real), though no Easter Bunny sightings.
The moments of humour provide a sharp contrast to some of the grittier stories. There's some heavy stuff dealt with here. The detritus and pain of people's lives.
Catnappers, adulterers, blackmailers, suicide, revenge killing, drug dealers, missing persons, fatal auto accidents and plain old break and enters are here.
Crims with names like Trigger, Ribs, Charmer ("Rebus couldn't see where he'd earned his nickname. The guy had all the charm of sandpaper."), Topper and Tattoos make an appearance. And (of course) Rebus' lifelong nemesis, Big Ger Cafferty. The tug-of-wars those two have had over the years...
Who'd be a copper, eh?
What I like about Rankin's writing, is he has the ability to draw a picture of a character's flaws, without you thinking any the less of them. He describes human nature so well.
The title The Beat Goes On seems to be a bit of a humorous pun too. "Beat" as in the beat that coppers walk or "beat" as in the tempo of life (not forgetting that Rebus is a bit of a music aficionado, particularly of the Stones, and underground indie bands and musos).
The final chapter Rankin on Rebus is a really interesting insight into how/where/why Rebus was created. The thought process behind the creative process. The link between Rebus (from (the Kingdom of) Fife) and Edinburgh. I lapped it up.
As Rankin himself mused:
" 'Male hero (a policeman?)'
That was my first note to myself, dated 15 March 1985, about the character who would eventually become Detective Inspector John Rebus."
What a fortunate day for us lucky readers.
Whether you're yet to be introduced to Rebus, or have crossed paths many times, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I'm now looking forward to reading the latest Rebus installment A Song for The Dark Times. I got my copy the other day...looking forward to it. Soon. Soon.
"Is loss redeemed by memory? Or does memory merely swell the sense of loss, becoming the enemy? The language of loss is the language of memory: remembrance, memorial, momento. People leave our lives all the time: some we met only briefly, others we'd known since birth. They leave us memories - which become skewed through time - and little more."
So good to be back on the mean streets of Edinburgh. And with the perfect tourist guide John Rebus.
Truth be told, I've had this book for a long time. But as I always say "right book, right time." I've been having a bit of a hard time focusing on reading lately. Not from any lack of an abundance of great books waiting to be read. Just "life".
I picked this up the other Friday night, and soon settled in with my old friend Rebus. In an ever changing world, and a world gone mad, you can depend on him.
With John Rebus, Ian Rankin has created a rock solid character. One of my favourites. He is irascible but fair. I love that he is a black sheep and is prepared to stick his neck out for what he believes in. He'll follow his instincts through to the bitter end. Damn the consequences. Or the brass.
" 'I know you said this was personal, John, but why the interest?'
'I'm not sure I can explain.' There were words - community, history, memory - but Rebus didn't think they'd be enough."
But for his seemingly prickly exterior, that's seen it all and then some, there beats a sentimental heart. Which Rebus keeps hidden well.
"If I died tonight, he thought, what would I bequeath to the world? Looking around, the answer was: nothing. The thought scared him, and most of all it made him want a drink, and not just one drink but a dozen".
He's such a complex character. With many demons keeping him company.
Edinburgh is the perfect backdrop for Rebus. Traditional. A genteel city, whose pristine exterior contrasts with an active underbelly.
" Officers from other cities, people Rebus met from time to time, would remark how cushy he had it in Edinburgh. Such a beautiful place, and prosperous. So little crime. They thought a dangerous city had to look dangerous.
The city hid its secrets well, and its vices too."
This collection of short stories was just the tonic, and so easy to get comfortable with. Get snug, put my feet up, and peep over Rebus' shoulder.
A favourite of mine is a story titled Sunday. My favourite day of the week. Yes - talk about synchronicity - today is Sunday. The day of rest, which even Rebus has off. Or does he?
"That's what Sunday was all about, wasn't it? Maybe he could try one of the crosswords. It was ages since he'd done a crossword. A glass of wine and a crossword...Glanced at his watch again. It was half past eleven. A bit early to be drinking. Cheers.
You could break the rules on a Sunday, couldn't you?"
This offering contains all of Rebus' short stories, which originally appeared in A Good Hanging and Other Stories and Beggars Banquet. I read both of these anthologies when they were released, but that was a long time ago. Truth be told I'd forgotten most of them. So these were still very enjoyable to "re-read". The novella Death is Not The End is thrown in for good measure, along with a couple of newbies, which I'd not previously read. I enjoyed them all.
For all the grimness and never ending grind that Rebus has to deal with, I'd forgotten how funny he can be. Some of the stories had me quite amused. Check out Monstrous Trumpet, very cheeky. Santa Claus makes an appearance or two (yes, he is real), though no Easter Bunny sightings.
The moments of humour provide a sharp contrast to some of the grittier stories. There's some heavy stuff dealt with here. The detritus and pain of people's lives.
Catnappers, adulterers, blackmailers, suicide, revenge killing, drug dealers, missing persons, fatal auto accidents and plain old break and enters are here.
Crims with names like Trigger, Ribs, Charmer ("Rebus couldn't see where he'd earned his nickname. The guy had all the charm of sandpaper."), Topper and Tattoos make an appearance. And (of course) Rebus' lifelong nemesis, Big Ger Cafferty. The tug-of-wars those two have had over the years...
Who'd be a copper, eh?
What I like about Rankin's writing, is he has the ability to draw a picture of a character's flaws, without you thinking any the less of them. He describes human nature so well.
The title The Beat Goes On seems to be a bit of a humorous pun too. "Beat" as in the beat that coppers walk or "beat" as in the tempo of life (not forgetting that Rebus is a bit of a music aficionado, particularly of the Stones, and underground indie bands and musos).
The final chapter Rankin on Rebus is a really interesting insight into how/where/why Rebus was created. The thought process behind the creative process. The link between Rebus (from (the Kingdom of) Fife) and Edinburgh. I lapped it up.
As Rankin himself mused:
" 'Male hero (a policeman?)'
That was my first note to myself, dated 15 March 1985, about the character who would eventually become Detective Inspector John Rebus."
What a fortunate day for us lucky readers.
Whether you're yet to be introduced to Rebus, or have crossed paths many times, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I'm now looking forward to reading the latest Rebus installment A Song for The Dark Times. I got my copy the other day...looking forward to it. Soon. Soon.
"Is loss redeemed by memory? Or does memory merely swell the sense of loss, becoming the enemy? The language of loss is the language of memory: remembrance, memorial, momento. People leave our lives all the time: some we met only briefly, others we'd known since birth. They leave us memories - which become skewed through time - and little more."
October 2, 2016
Συλλογή διηγημάτων με ήρωα το ντετέκτιβ Ρέμπους. Θα το πρότεινα μόνο σε περίπτωση που έχετε διαβάσει τις κανονικές περιπέτειες του επιθεωρητή και θέλετε κάποιο "έξτρα". Για τους φαν του επιθεωρητή, παίρνουμε μικρές γεύσεις από την καθημερινότητα στη δουλειά του. Έξυπνες περιπέτειες, 20-30 σελίδων περίπου, όπου το μυστήριο λύνεται γρήγορα και διαβάζεται άμεσα. Για όποιον δεν έχει ξαναδιαβάσει για τον επιθεωρητή Ρέμπους δεν θα μπορούσε να καταλάβει τη μεγαλοφυΐα του αστυνομικού, ενώ τα διηγήματα μου θύμισαν αρκετά Σέρλοκ Χολμς.
Στα συν του βιβλίου οι τελευταίες 20 σελίδες όπου ο Ράνκιν περιγράφει πώς εμπνεύστηκε το Ρέμπους και ποιος ήταν ο δρόμος για την επιτυχία. Προσωπικά κοιτάω ήδη τιμές για εκδρομή στο Εδιμβούργο (και μάλλον θα καταλήξω σε κάποιο ακόμα μυθιστόρημα του Ράνκιν...)
Στα συν του βιβλίου οι τελευταίες 20 σελίδες όπου ο Ράνκιν περιγράφει πώς εμπνεύστηκε το Ρέμπους και ποιος ήταν ο δρόμος για την επιτυχία. Προσωπικά κοιτάω ήδη τιμές για εκδρομή στο Εδιμβούργο (και μάλλον θα καταλήξω σε κάποιο ακόμα μυθιστόρημα του Ράνκιν...)
![Profile Image for [ J o ].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1673171874i%2F4639825._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
February 9, 2017
The Beat Goes On is a collection of short stories concerning John Rebus-right from his time as DS to DI, with another story concerning him whilst he was retired but still going at it like a good ole Detective.
Ian Rankin is sublime, even in the shorter format of storytelling. Each story is just a snippet in to both the writing style of Rankin and also the Life and Times of Inspector Rebus, Gentleman.
Each story is just a small, non-significant mystery that Rebus has to solve, some of which featured as side-plots in one of the fully-formed Rebus novels. With these stories you gain an insight in to John Rebus himself, the people he works with and against, Edinburgh and of Rankin's writing style as it is.
If you have not read any Rebus or Rankin before, this may be a good starting point, just to work out whether you enjoy his storytelling prowess, or just to see if you think Rebus will be worth your time. I can't imagine why he wouldn't be, but, you know, just in case.
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Ian Rankin is sublime, even in the shorter format of storytelling. Each story is just a snippet in to both the writing style of Rankin and also the Life and Times of Inspector Rebus, Gentleman.
Each story is just a small, non-significant mystery that Rebus has to solve, some of which featured as side-plots in one of the fully-formed Rebus novels. With these stories you gain an insight in to John Rebus himself, the people he works with and against, Edinburgh and of Rankin's writing style as it is.
If you have not read any Rebus or Rankin before, this may be a good starting point, just to work out whether you enjoy his storytelling prowess, or just to see if you think Rebus will be worth your time. I can't imagine why he wouldn't be, but, you know, just in case.
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December 21, 2024
THE BEAT GOES ON by Ian Rankin.
Who ? Rankin ? Have seen that name before.
Found not-on-purpose at a local thrift shop, very good condition, warm inviting colors on the dust jacket. Foreign setting, police procedural; price, not bad. Short stories. I like those……..
Yeah, destined for the TBR shelf.
Nothing else today.
Looked up the author. Impressive number of books in the “Inspector Rebus series.” Great reviews.
Ok, then, maybe just one story for now……….
A week later, more thrift shops, more Rebus.
I really need a bigger TBR shelf. Or six.
Who ? Rankin ? Have seen that name before.
Found not-on-purpose at a local thrift shop, very good condition, warm inviting colors on the dust jacket. Foreign setting, police procedural; price, not bad. Short stories. I like those……..
Yeah, destined for the TBR shelf.
Nothing else today.
Looked up the author. Impressive number of books in the “Inspector Rebus series.” Great reviews.
Ok, then, maybe just one story for now……….
A week later, more thrift shops, more Rebus.
I really need a bigger TBR shelf. Or six.
September 23, 2015
The Grand Old Man in shorts...review of book and audiobook
Last year, after one of his friends died unexpectedly at a young age, Ian Rankin announced that he'd be taking a year or two off from novel writing to have a bit of a rest. I assume this collection of short stories has been issued to fill the void that many of us Rebus fans would have felt without a new book for the winter. And, since I haven't read any of these before, it filled that void very satisfactorily.
There are 29 stories, ranging in length from a few pages to near-novella, but with most falling into the 20-40 minutes-to-read zone, so perfect bedside table material for late-night reading. There is also an interesting essay at the end where Rankin tells the story of how Rebus came into existence, which gives us some biographical snippets into how Rankin himself became a crime writer.
Normally, when reviewing a short story collection, I find myself commenting on the variable quality of the stories, but I really can't say that with this one. I found each of the stories, short or long, to be pretty much equally good, and while they obviously don't have the complexity or depth of the novels, they show all Rankin's normal talents for plotting and characterisation, and are as well written as the books. In fact, because we know the main characters so well, Rankin doesn't have to spend much time on developing them, allowing him to pack a lot of story into a compact space. A few of them have a Christmas or New Year theme, I guess because they were originally written for newspaper or magazine Christmas specials. And a couple make reference to stories from great Edinburgh writers of the past – Muriel Spark and Arthur Conan Doyle – giving a glimpse into Rankin's own influences.
Each story is entirely consistent with the Rebus we know, but sometimes angled so that we see a new facet of his character, or get a closer look at an old one. They are spread throughout his career, with the first story being the most recently written – a prequel more or less to his latest novel Saints of the Shadow Bible, when Rebus was a new detective learning the ropes – right through to his retirement (which we now know didn't last long). The bulk, however, are set in the earlier period, so there's more of Brian Holmes as his sidekick than of Siobhan Clarke, who only came into the series mid-way through. I found this particularly pleasurable since it's a long time since I've read any of the older books and I enjoyed the trip down memory lane with a younger Rebus. I was intrigued to realise that, although I tend to think back on the early Rebus as one of the drunken mavericks of his day who has since mellowed with age, in fact in comparison to a lot of today's detectives he was actually both functional and professional throughout – clearly it's the genre that's shifted, rather than Rebus...or Rankin. I also felt there was more than a touch of William McIlvanney in the earlier stories, but that his influence seemed to fade as they went on, presumably as Rankin developed into his own equally strong style.
The stories include all kinds of mysteries, from shop-lifting to murder, and the occasional one is really more an observation of a particular aspect of Edinburgh life than a crime story. In total, they left me in no doubt that Rankin is just as much a master of the short story as the novel. I found this a completely satisfying collection, and one that I'm sure to dip in and out of many times again.
* * * * * * * *
Just for fun I tried the newish Whispersync feature for Kindle with this one – that is, that if you buy the Kindle book, you can add the Audible version at a reduced cost (or for free if, like me, you have a bunch of Audible credits you haven't yet used). Technically, it didn't really sync on the Kindle Fire which was a disappointment – it meant that when switching from reading to listening I was always having to find my place. Not too much of a problem with short stories, but could be tedious in a full-length novel.
However, this particular Audible book is superbly narrated by James Macpherson who, you may remember, took over as the lead in Taggart after Mark McManus died. Not only is he an excellent narrator, but his voice and accent are ideally suited for the character of Rebus and as a skilled actor he also creates different personas for all the other many characters who appear in the stories. I thought it was a first rate recording, and thoroughly enjoyed splitting the book between reading and listening. It's something I would do again – especially for short stories. A good narration can definitely add something to the original. On the audiobook version, too, the essay Rankin on Rebus is narrated by Ian Rankin himself, which made it a little bit extra-special (especially since he has a lovely voice too). I'd happily recommend the book, the audiobook or both to all Rebus fans out there, or even perhaps as an introduction for new readers to the grand old man of Tartan Noir.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Last year, after one of his friends died unexpectedly at a young age, Ian Rankin announced that he'd be taking a year or two off from novel writing to have a bit of a rest. I assume this collection of short stories has been issued to fill the void that many of us Rebus fans would have felt without a new book for the winter. And, since I haven't read any of these before, it filled that void very satisfactorily.
There are 29 stories, ranging in length from a few pages to near-novella, but with most falling into the 20-40 minutes-to-read zone, so perfect bedside table material for late-night reading. There is also an interesting essay at the end where Rankin tells the story of how Rebus came into existence, which gives us some biographical snippets into how Rankin himself became a crime writer.
Normally, when reviewing a short story collection, I find myself commenting on the variable quality of the stories, but I really can't say that with this one. I found each of the stories, short or long, to be pretty much equally good, and while they obviously don't have the complexity or depth of the novels, they show all Rankin's normal talents for plotting and characterisation, and are as well written as the books. In fact, because we know the main characters so well, Rankin doesn't have to spend much time on developing them, allowing him to pack a lot of story into a compact space. A few of them have a Christmas or New Year theme, I guess because they were originally written for newspaper or magazine Christmas specials. And a couple make reference to stories from great Edinburgh writers of the past – Muriel Spark and Arthur Conan Doyle – giving a glimpse into Rankin's own influences.
Each story is entirely consistent with the Rebus we know, but sometimes angled so that we see a new facet of his character, or get a closer look at an old one. They are spread throughout his career, with the first story being the most recently written – a prequel more or less to his latest novel Saints of the Shadow Bible, when Rebus was a new detective learning the ropes – right through to his retirement (which we now know didn't last long). The bulk, however, are set in the earlier period, so there's more of Brian Holmes as his sidekick than of Siobhan Clarke, who only came into the series mid-way through. I found this particularly pleasurable since it's a long time since I've read any of the older books and I enjoyed the trip down memory lane with a younger Rebus. I was intrigued to realise that, although I tend to think back on the early Rebus as one of the drunken mavericks of his day who has since mellowed with age, in fact in comparison to a lot of today's detectives he was actually both functional and professional throughout – clearly it's the genre that's shifted, rather than Rebus...or Rankin. I also felt there was more than a touch of William McIlvanney in the earlier stories, but that his influence seemed to fade as they went on, presumably as Rankin developed into his own equally strong style.
The stories include all kinds of mysteries, from shop-lifting to murder, and the occasional one is really more an observation of a particular aspect of Edinburgh life than a crime story. In total, they left me in no doubt that Rankin is just as much a master of the short story as the novel. I found this a completely satisfying collection, and one that I'm sure to dip in and out of many times again.
* * * * * * * *
Just for fun I tried the newish Whispersync feature for Kindle with this one – that is, that if you buy the Kindle book, you can add the Audible version at a reduced cost (or for free if, like me, you have a bunch of Audible credits you haven't yet used). Technically, it didn't really sync on the Kindle Fire which was a disappointment – it meant that when switching from reading to listening I was always having to find my place. Not too much of a problem with short stories, but could be tedious in a full-length novel.
However, this particular Audible book is superbly narrated by James Macpherson who, you may remember, took over as the lead in Taggart after Mark McManus died. Not only is he an excellent narrator, but his voice and accent are ideally suited for the character of Rebus and as a skilled actor he also creates different personas for all the other many characters who appear in the stories. I thought it was a first rate recording, and thoroughly enjoyed splitting the book between reading and listening. It's something I would do again – especially for short stories. A good narration can definitely add something to the original. On the audiobook version, too, the essay Rankin on Rebus is narrated by Ian Rankin himself, which made it a little bit extra-special (especially since he has a lovely voice too). I'd happily recommend the book, the audiobook or both to all Rebus fans out there, or even perhaps as an introduction for new readers to the grand old man of Tartan Noir.
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June 4, 2017
Even though this is a great big fat doorstopper of a book -- in fact, probably exactly because this is a great big fat doorstopper of a book! -- my notes on it are going to be briefer than they might be.
For me, one of the great joys of middle-period Rebus (less so early on and in the novels of the recent renaissance) is the complex, near-claustrophobic nature of both the character and the setting. When you sit down to the better of the Rebus books you know you're in for a novel that demands your active engagement; if you want light, uninvolved entertainment, look elsewhere. In fact, one of the review quotes on the back of this 31-story bumper collection says as much: "One of crime fiction's most interestingly complex figures" (Adam Woog, Seattle Times).
When I read one of the other cover quotes I sniggered: "One of the great modern cops, a kind of Scottish cousin to Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch" (Patrick Anderson, Washington Post). Make no mistake, I thoroughly enjoy Connelly's novels and would regard him as among the very best of modern US mystery/thriller writers, but Bosch doesn't have that trademark Rebus depth.
And yet, for the stories in this collection, the description doesn't seem inapt, not at all. From time to time I wondered how a story might have fared had the name "Rebus" been replaced throughout by another, and the sad response I gave myself was that in most instances it wouldn't have mattered. None of the stories is bad, although a few are very slight and/or contrived, but, with a single exception, none of them blew my socks off. That exception was, curiously, the shortest and least plotted story in the book, "Not Just Another Saturday" at a mere four pages, in which we have an introverted Rebus pondering what he's gained and lost by being a cop. (I know that's vague. I don't want to spoil this little gem of a tale for you.)
Once upon a time -- and, for all I know, still today -- you could get CDs called things like Beethoven's Great Hits, eighty minutes of three- or five-minute tracks giving you just the best bits from the Pastoral Symphony or the Emperor Concerto so you didn't have to grimly sit your way through all the boring bits. I heard a few of these CDs in other people's cars, and had to concede that, yes, The Ride of the Valkyries (to skip composers) was a pretty damn' fine track. But, but, but, dammit but, if you listened only to (say) the best bits from Sibelius you got a bunch of great tunes but nothing of the emotional depth you got from listening to the original pieces in their entirety.
And that's the feeling I came away with from The Beat Goes On. After his first few fumbling novels, Rankin has never been anything less than a supremely talented writer. Here, though, it was as if I'd been listening to that Beethoven's Great Hits CD.
Okay, so I wasn't all that brief after all, was I? The cat's furious, wanting her supper, because I told her I'd be just five minutes . . .
For me, one of the great joys of middle-period Rebus (less so early on and in the novels of the recent renaissance) is the complex, near-claustrophobic nature of both the character and the setting. When you sit down to the better of the Rebus books you know you're in for a novel that demands your active engagement; if you want light, uninvolved entertainment, look elsewhere. In fact, one of the review quotes on the back of this 31-story bumper collection says as much: "One of crime fiction's most interestingly complex figures" (Adam Woog, Seattle Times).
When I read one of the other cover quotes I sniggered: "One of the great modern cops, a kind of Scottish cousin to Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch" (Patrick Anderson, Washington Post). Make no mistake, I thoroughly enjoy Connelly's novels and would regard him as among the very best of modern US mystery/thriller writers, but Bosch doesn't have that trademark Rebus depth.
And yet, for the stories in this collection, the description doesn't seem inapt, not at all. From time to time I wondered how a story might have fared had the name "Rebus" been replaced throughout by another, and the sad response I gave myself was that in most instances it wouldn't have mattered. None of the stories is bad, although a few are very slight and/or contrived, but, with a single exception, none of them blew my socks off. That exception was, curiously, the shortest and least plotted story in the book, "Not Just Another Saturday" at a mere four pages, in which we have an introverted Rebus pondering what he's gained and lost by being a cop. (I know that's vague. I don't want to spoil this little gem of a tale for you.)
Once upon a time -- and, for all I know, still today -- you could get CDs called things like Beethoven's Great Hits, eighty minutes of three- or five-minute tracks giving you just the best bits from the Pastoral Symphony or the Emperor Concerto so you didn't have to grimly sit your way through all the boring bits. I heard a few of these CDs in other people's cars, and had to concede that, yes, The Ride of the Valkyries (to skip composers) was a pretty damn' fine track. But, but, but, dammit but, if you listened only to (say) the best bits from Sibelius you got a bunch of great tunes but nothing of the emotional depth you got from listening to the original pieces in their entirety.
And that's the feeling I came away with from The Beat Goes On. After his first few fumbling novels, Rankin has never been anything less than a supremely talented writer. Here, though, it was as if I'd been listening to that Beethoven's Great Hits CD.
Okay, so I wasn't all that brief after all, was I? The cat's furious, wanting her supper, because I told her I'd be just five minutes . . .
April 8, 2020
Θα γράψω και εγώ σύντομα διηγήματα με τις Άγνωστες Υποθέσεις του Αστυνόμου Ακουαφόρτε.
Θα διαδραματίζονται στα νεανικά του χρόνια, τότε που υπηρετούσε στο ΑΤ μιας μικρής επαρχιακής πόλης και σταματούσε κόσμο που παραβίαζε την καραντίνα του κορονοϊού.
Θα διαδραματίζονται στα νεανικά του χρόνια, τότε που υπηρετούσε στο ΑΤ μιας μικρής επαρχιακής πόλης και σταματούσε κόσμο που παραβίαζε την καραντίνα του κορονοϊού.
July 20, 2021
For English version please scroll down
*******
Ein wahrer Genuss für Rebus-Fans
In dieser Anthologie sind 31 Kurzgeschichten über Rebus versammelt, die zwischen 1990 und 2014 entstanden sind. Wir erleben Rebus also als jungen Polizisten, älter werdend, bis hin zur Pension.
Gut es sind Kurzgeschichten, die schon aufgrund ihrer Kürze weder die Komplexität noch die Tiefe eines Romans erreichen können. Und wie in jeder Kurzgeschichtensammlung ist die Qualität der Geschichten nicht auf gleichbleibendem Niveau. Als weiterer Nachteil für mich konnt hinzu, dass ich nicht so sehr gerne Kurzgeschichten lese.
Dennoch hat mir diese Anthologie außergewöhnlich gut gefallen. Zum einen, weil ich ein großer Fan von Inspektor Rebus bin. Und zum anderen, weil fast alle Geschichten eine ordentliche Dosis Humor enthalten. Dadurch ist die Atmosphäre erheblich weniger düster als in den Romanen und ich konnte beim Lesen sehr viel schmunzeln.
Mir hats gefallen und ich vergebe 4 Sterne.
-----------------------
A real treat for Rebus fans
This anthology brings together 31 short stories about Rebus that were written between 1990 and 2014. So we experience Rebus as a young police officer, getting older, right up to retirement.
Well, these are short stories that, due to their brevity, can neither reach the complexity nor the depth of a novel. And as in any short story collection, the quality of the stories is not at the same level. Another disadvantage for me is that I don't like reading short stories that much.
Still, I liked this anthology exceptionally well. For one thing, because I'm a big fan of Inspector Rebus. And secondly, because almost all stories contain a good dose of humor. As a result, the atmosphere is much less gloomy than in the novels and I was able to smile a lot while reading.
I liked it and assign 4 stars.
*******
Ein wahrer Genuss für Rebus-Fans
In dieser Anthologie sind 31 Kurzgeschichten über Rebus versammelt, die zwischen 1990 und 2014 entstanden sind. Wir erleben Rebus also als jungen Polizisten, älter werdend, bis hin zur Pension.
Gut es sind Kurzgeschichten, die schon aufgrund ihrer Kürze weder die Komplexität noch die Tiefe eines Romans erreichen können. Und wie in jeder Kurzgeschichtensammlung ist die Qualität der Geschichten nicht auf gleichbleibendem Niveau. Als weiterer Nachteil für mich konnt hinzu, dass ich nicht so sehr gerne Kurzgeschichten lese.
Dennoch hat mir diese Anthologie außergewöhnlich gut gefallen. Zum einen, weil ich ein großer Fan von Inspektor Rebus bin. Und zum anderen, weil fast alle Geschichten eine ordentliche Dosis Humor enthalten. Dadurch ist die Atmosphäre erheblich weniger düster als in den Romanen und ich konnte beim Lesen sehr viel schmunzeln.
Mir hats gefallen und ich vergebe 4 Sterne.
-----------------------
A real treat for Rebus fans
This anthology brings together 31 short stories about Rebus that were written between 1990 and 2014. So we experience Rebus as a young police officer, getting older, right up to retirement.
Well, these are short stories that, due to their brevity, can neither reach the complexity nor the depth of a novel. And as in any short story collection, the quality of the stories is not at the same level. Another disadvantage for me is that I don't like reading short stories that much.
Still, I liked this anthology exceptionally well. For one thing, because I'm a big fan of Inspector Rebus. And secondly, because almost all stories contain a good dose of humor. As a result, the atmosphere is much less gloomy than in the novels and I was able to smile a lot while reading.
I liked it and assign 4 stars.
March 8, 2015
The first Rebus novel was published in 1987. 20 have been published to date and the best-sellers have been translated into 22 languages.
I have read all of them and I think Ian Rankin is one of the best living crime writers. His creation, DI John Rebus, is a classic flawed hero. Driven to solve crimes, he has consistently frustrated a series of love interests, colleagues and long-suffering bosses against the backdrop of a brooding Edinburgh.
I enjoyed the 29 short stories in this collection, but I enjoyed his essay ‘Rankin on Rebus’ most of all. It reminded me of when I was lucky enough to interview him in Johannesburg in 2005. Rankin talks about his own childhood, how he first wrote about the detective, how he discovered that he was really writing about Edinburgh and how he really got to know Rebus. He writes, "Rebus, too, is composed of words – millions of them – so you might think by now I’d have got to the heart of what makes him tick, but he continues to surprise me, which is perhaps only apt for a man whose name means ‘puzzle’."
If you’re a Rebus fan or a crime fiction fan or a fan of good fiction, read 'The Beat Goes On'.
4.5/5
I have read all of them and I think Ian Rankin is one of the best living crime writers. His creation, DI John Rebus, is a classic flawed hero. Driven to solve crimes, he has consistently frustrated a series of love interests, colleagues and long-suffering bosses against the backdrop of a brooding Edinburgh.
I enjoyed the 29 short stories in this collection, but I enjoyed his essay ‘Rankin on Rebus’ most of all. It reminded me of when I was lucky enough to interview him in Johannesburg in 2005. Rankin talks about his own childhood, how he first wrote about the detective, how he discovered that he was really writing about Edinburgh and how he really got to know Rebus. He writes, "Rebus, too, is composed of words – millions of them – so you might think by now I’d have got to the heart of what makes him tick, but he continues to surprise me, which is perhaps only apt for a man whose name means ‘puzzle’."
If you’re a Rebus fan or a crime fiction fan or a fan of good fiction, read 'The Beat Goes On'.
4.5/5
August 9, 2016
I love the Rebus series by Ian Rankin but was not aware that he wrote Rebus short stories. This book contains 29 little stories ranging from 5 to 25 pages in length and are in chronological order.........starting with a young Rebus who seldom followed the rules through to his retirement when he was still not following the rules. To thoroughly enjoy this book, one should first read a couple of the novels to get a feel for the character since short stories can't do much character development and Rebus is a fully developed character who has his faults. Then pick up this book and enjoy, enjoy, and enjoy!!!
December 1, 2015
I have read many of the stories under other collections. The stories range from the slight to the occasional more substantive story. As someone who adores the Rebus series, this collection is a delight in many ways. My favourites include the intrigue involved in a missing piece of art where Rebus is joined by a French detective and a dead woman found strangled in a hotel room. All the stories bear the hallmark of Rankin's customary prose style. Whilst I have a preference for the longer length novels, I did enjoy this book, if only because it allows you to spend more time in the company of John Rebus.
December 18, 2020
Although I really like Ian Rankin's novels and love his Rebus character, this collection of short stories doesn't appeal to me. Of course Rebus is incredibly clever and always works out who the culprit is, but the reader isn't given the time to pick up clues and try to guess. Writing short stories is a very difficult exercise; so is reading them, sometimes.
January 2, 2015
I love John Rebus: curmudgeon, tease, ruler breaker and deep thinker. This collection of stories is a satisfying walk through his career. It's wonderful to read about past workmates (The Farmer Watson, Dr. Curt, Brian Holmes and Ms. Clarke), though there's only a passing mention of Big Ger- a personality as devious as Rebus himself. Great read.
April 5, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
It's a collection of short stories featuring Scottish cop Rebus. The character is fairly highly regarded in some circles, but I've never read any of his stuff before.
They all sort of run together after a while, as usually happens with these things, and the only story that really stands out isn't really a story at all, let alone a mystery. It's the usual boring meditation on the lost spirit of the sixties that Baby Boomers feel a need to write, and we've all read a thousand times over.
Richard Prather (I think) once said that every short story featuring a series character should make the reader want to buy the novels. In this, the book was a failure for me, as I'm not moved to go buy a novel.
For fans of Rebus. Everybody else pays their money and takes their chances.
It's a collection of short stories featuring Scottish cop Rebus. The character is fairly highly regarded in some circles, but I've never read any of his stuff before.
They all sort of run together after a while, as usually happens with these things, and the only story that really stands out isn't really a story at all, let alone a mystery. It's the usual boring meditation on the lost spirit of the sixties that Baby Boomers feel a need to write, and we've all read a thousand times over.
Richard Prather (I think) once said that every short story featuring a series character should make the reader want to buy the novels. In this, the book was a failure for me, as I'm not moved to go buy a novel.
For fans of Rebus. Everybody else pays their money and takes their chances.
April 6, 2019
Honestly, this book is 2.5 - 2.7 stars at best. Repetitive writing, unimaginative prose, all can be forgiven only because of my own affiliation to thrillers and detective stories. By the time the last quarter of the book started, I was reading only to finish it. The setting is Edinburgh, which makes for a nice change of background from the more common London, but the rest is uninspiring and a bit of a drag at times. Maybe 3-4 stories stood out. But that's about it. Not entirely bad, but definitely skippable.
December 8, 2015
Οι φανς του Ρέμπους πρέπει να το διαβάσουν.Έχει 17 μικρές ιστορίες καθόλου κουραστικές με το γνωστό γράψιμο του Ράνκιν.Βέβαια δεν μπορώ να είμαι αντικειμενικός όταν πρόκειται για τον Ίαν
May 11, 2019
The Beat Goes On is a complete collection of detective stories featuring Detective Rebus. It is an updated edition that has added two more short stories. Also included is an excerpt from Even Dogs in the Wild. An enjoyable read of English mystery.
September 2, 2022
This was a good 3.5 stars read.
The book is a compilation of short stories revolving around John Rebus, who is a professed detective and inspector operating in Edinburgh. Be it the famous, well-known faces in the rich and proud layer of society, be it artists with vindictive means of expression in their hours of creativity or the ill-famed ruffians rotting and plotting in the underbelly of the mainland- he sees through them all.
The imagery of a normal Edinburgh neighbourhood perfectly balanced with the criminal setting is very well done, clearly pointing out Ian Rankin interest in writing about the city.
The Gentleman's club was my favorite story. A twisted tale of suicide and pedophilia and teenage jealousy making room for an incredible mystery, with an afterthought:
"In matters of suicide, just who was the victim, who the culprit?"
The detective instinct of John Rebus is quite entertaining, as is with any detective that you come across. The most mundane crime scene and he could smell it like a police dog from a mile away; as if the crime was just playing in front of him. The author does a great job in portraying his innate abilites, while also not making him look like someone possessing supernatural powers. Rather creating a typically normal character who is unusually perceptive and not easily missing out on the tiny details unseen to the common eye.
Also I loved his sense of humour as well as the casual, subtle sarcasm (Scottish humour, you say?) which definitely made this read doubly enjoyable.
Overall a good read. There were some stories after halfway, which were kind of a drag and not much interesting as the stories in the first half, partly the reason why the excitement kind of waned off towards the end.
Recommended if you like fun detective stories or if you want to kickstart your ride on the Rebus bandwagon.
The book is a compilation of short stories revolving around John Rebus, who is a professed detective and inspector operating in Edinburgh. Be it the famous, well-known faces in the rich and proud layer of society, be it artists with vindictive means of expression in their hours of creativity or the ill-famed ruffians rotting and plotting in the underbelly of the mainland- he sees through them all.
The imagery of a normal Edinburgh neighbourhood perfectly balanced with the criminal setting is very well done, clearly pointing out Ian Rankin interest in writing about the city.
The Gentleman's club was my favorite story. A twisted tale of suicide and pedophilia and teenage jealousy making room for an incredible mystery, with an afterthought:
"In matters of suicide, just who was the victim, who the culprit?"
The detective instinct of John Rebus is quite entertaining, as is with any detective that you come across. The most mundane crime scene and he could smell it like a police dog from a mile away; as if the crime was just playing in front of him. The author does a great job in portraying his innate abilites, while also not making him look like someone possessing supernatural powers. Rather creating a typically normal character who is unusually perceptive and not easily missing out on the tiny details unseen to the common eye.
Also I loved his sense of humour as well as the casual, subtle sarcasm (Scottish humour, you say?) which definitely made this read doubly enjoyable.
Overall a good read. There were some stories after halfway, which were kind of a drag and not much interesting as the stories in the first half, partly the reason why the excitement kind of waned off towards the end.
Recommended if you like fun detective stories or if you want to kickstart your ride on the Rebus bandwagon.
January 31, 2016
This bumper book of Rebus short stories was given to me as a gift. I'd only read one Rebus novel before and hadn't really taken to it, but I did very much enjoy this collection. Most of these really are "short" stories, generally between 10 and 20 pages, and as with any such compilation the quality is variable. On the whole though the author makes a good job of developing plot and character, even within stories of such limited length.
One thing though, when you have a collection like this the reader notices certain themes that wouldn't have been so obvious if the stories had been read at different times and places, and Mr Rankin seems to have an odd fixation with the idea of criminals disguised as Santa Claus!
One thing though, when you have a collection like this the reader notices certain themes that wouldn't have been so obvious if the stories had been read at different times and places, and Mr Rankin seems to have an odd fixation with the idea of criminals disguised as Santa Claus!
September 29, 2015
Ian Rankin is one of my favorite authors. I love the Rebus books (and the dvds). The Beat Goes On has all of the Rebus short stories in it. It has some that I hadn't read before. As with any short story book, I liked some of the stories more than others but I enjoyed them all. I highly recommend this book!
July 7, 2021
A collection of short stories, many involving Inspector Rebus, but others as well. The Rebus stories are interesting as there are no big involved cases, but just Rebus out and about doing the day-to-day policing in Edinburgh.
Much (or all?) of his short story collection BEGGARS BANQUET is included here. That was one of the three book titles by Rankin that were taken from Rolling Stones albums.
Much (or all?) of his short story collection BEGGARS BANQUET is included here. That was one of the three book titles by Rankin that were taken from Rolling Stones albums.
August 9, 2015
I am a huge Rebus fan which is why this collection of short stories gets five stars. I normally am not a short story reader but this collection is truly a gift for fans of the series. For those of you that have read several in the series or have read all of them, this book is highly recommended.
April 14, 2015
Ultimate collection of Rebus short stories from back to 1992 to 2014. If you love Rebus and Ian Rankin, you'll love this. 5 stars.
December 14, 2022
rated: 3 stars
2022 Advent Calendar Day 1
if i wasn't gifted this book i would have never picked it up, and being thrown into the deep end with short stories about a character which i knew nothing about was very interesting. the stories ranged from just okay to decent, with none of them really standing out as shocking or with insane twists. the author did try to put a twist in most of them, which i think would have worked better if they were read individually instead of altogether in this compilation novel. it was also really hard to keep track of what year the story was set in, because the book was supposed to chronicle the rise through the ranks of the detective mc all the way until his retirement in the final story, but they all just kind of blurred together into one long cop story. the short story format also meant that there was 0 character development, which i guess is because there are more than 25 full length novels that are meant for the development, but it made it very slow going to read the book anyway.
2022 Advent Calendar Day 1
if i wasn't gifted this book i would have never picked it up, and being thrown into the deep end with short stories about a character which i knew nothing about was very interesting. the stories ranged from just okay to decent, with none of them really standing out as shocking or with insane twists. the author did try to put a twist in most of them, which i think would have worked better if they were read individually instead of altogether in this compilation novel. it was also really hard to keep track of what year the story was set in, because the book was supposed to chronicle the rise through the ranks of the detective mc all the way until his retirement in the final story, but they all just kind of blurred together into one long cop story. the short story format also meant that there was 0 character development, which i guess is because there are more than 25 full length novels that are meant for the development, but it made it very slow going to read the book anyway.
February 22, 2018
What a delightful collection of Rebus stories! This volume collects all of Ian Rankin's short stories featuring cranky but brilliant Inspector Rebus, and nearly all of them are gems.
There are several written for Christmas that involve perps dressed as Santa. They range from a case involving a young Rebus to one in which he's recently retired. They all include his trademark dark humor and love of drinking, smoking and loud music.
The best one, I think, is the one called "Atonement" that begins with an old retired cop telling Rebus he thinks there's something suspicious about the deaths that keep happening at his retirement home. That one took several turns that I didn't expect at all.
My one complaint about this stellar volume is that Rebus' nemesis, gangster Morris Gerald "Big Ger" Cafferty, doesn't appear at all except in a passing reference. But maybe Big Ger is just too big to fit inside a short story!
There are several written for Christmas that involve perps dressed as Santa. They range from a case involving a young Rebus to one in which he's recently retired. They all include his trademark dark humor and love of drinking, smoking and loud music.
The best one, I think, is the one called "Atonement" that begins with an old retired cop telling Rebus he thinks there's something suspicious about the deaths that keep happening at his retirement home. That one took several turns that I didn't expect at all.
My one complaint about this stellar volume is that Rebus' nemesis, gangster Morris Gerald "Big Ger" Cafferty, doesn't appear at all except in a passing reference. But maybe Big Ger is just too big to fit inside a short story!
June 5, 2025
In previous reviews of short story collections, I’ve tried to provide a one-sentence encapsulation of each story and a word or two of what I thought of it. I find that kind of review dissatisfying to read and even more dissatisfying to write. So, it’s time to look at this more effectively, I hope.
This is a collection of some 30 short stories that feature Rankin’s famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view), John Rebus. The stories follow Rebus throughout his career, and there are several that are Christmas oriented. Apparently, Rankin wrote those for publication in newspapers during the holidays.
I didn’t find these uneven. I suppose there are some I enjoyed a bit more than others, but none of them were disappointments. I particularly enjoyed “Playback,” a story in which an answering machine and a tiny bit of splicing tape convicted someone.
None of these stories are alike, and they aren’t loosely connected to one another. That’s an advantage to the reader.
This is a collection of some 30 short stories that feature Rankin’s famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view), John Rebus. The stories follow Rebus throughout his career, and there are several that are Christmas oriented. Apparently, Rankin wrote those for publication in newspapers during the holidays.
I didn’t find these uneven. I suppose there are some I enjoyed a bit more than others, but none of them were disappointments. I particularly enjoyed “Playback,” a story in which an answering machine and a tiny bit of splicing tape convicted someone.
None of these stories are alike, and they aren’t loosely connected to one another. That’s an advantage to the reader.
December 22, 2022
The first book gifted to me in my Advent Book Calendar. I’m not quite sure how they work - as I to read a book per day in December? That would have been possible for me before my many commitments. But not any more. Not to mention my intolerable chronic pain that keeps tapping me on the shoulder.
But despite it being 21 days, I finally read it all, save for the last chapter which I don’t quite care about - yes I appreciate the short stories but I don’t want to know about your life. It seems mediocre. I prefer fiction.
As per the collection, I would never choose something like this to read. But since it is in the advent book box, I accepted the challenge. The worst part about the collection was that they were all so PREDICTABLE. Rankin writes in the same way for every story. I could predict when to stop and prepare a chapter update because, of course, detective Rebus solved every single case. Amazing. Hurrah. A round of applause. Or 29 rounds, one for every short story.
Some stories were notable. Others not. I’m glad I finished the book if I’m honest, however if you like quick little escapes into the crime world where the male protagonist is hilarious (or so he thinks) and he just about can solve every crime and get anyone to confess, then this is for you.
But despite it being 21 days, I finally read it all, save for the last chapter which I don’t quite care about - yes I appreciate the short stories but I don’t want to know about your life. It seems mediocre. I prefer fiction.
As per the collection, I would never choose something like this to read. But since it is in the advent book box, I accepted the challenge. The worst part about the collection was that they were all so PREDICTABLE. Rankin writes in the same way for every story. I could predict when to stop and prepare a chapter update because, of course, detective Rebus solved every single case. Amazing. Hurrah. A round of applause. Or 29 rounds, one for every short story.
Some stories were notable. Others not. I’m glad I finished the book if I’m honest, however if you like quick little escapes into the crime world where the male protagonist is hilarious (or so he thinks) and he just about can solve every crime and get anyone to confess, then this is for you.
May 23, 2025
Audiobook narrated by James Macpherson
A collection of short stories featuring Edinburgh cop Rebus through all stages (and ranks) of his career. Each story features a crime and a solution, sometimes unexpected in that the victims are not always what they appear to be, and neither are the criminals. Extremely engaging, and beautifully read by James Macpherson in a gentle Scottish accent.
A collection of short stories featuring Edinburgh cop Rebus through all stages (and ranks) of his career. Each story features a crime and a solution, sometimes unexpected in that the victims are not always what they appear to be, and neither are the criminals. Extremely engaging, and beautifully read by James Macpherson in a gentle Scottish accent.
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