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Inspector Rebus #20
Even Dogs in the Wild
Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke is investigating the death of a senior lawyer during a robbery. But the case becomes more complex when a note is discovered, indicating that this may have been no random attack, and when local gangster Big Ger Cafferty receives an identical message, Clarke decides that the recently retired John Rebus may be able to help. He's the only man Cafferty will open up to, and together the two old adversaries might just stand a chance of saving Cafferty's skin.
But a notorious family has arrived in Edinburgh, too, tailed by a team of undercover detectives. There's something they want, and they'll stop at nothing to get it. DI Malcolm Fox's job is to provide the undercover squad with local expertise, but he's soon drawn in too deep as the two cases look like colliding. And meantime, an anonymous killer stalks the nighttime streets, focussed on revenge. It's a game of dog eat dog - in the city as in the wild.
Even Dogs in the Wild brings back Ian Rankin's greatest characters in a story exploring the darkest corners of our instincts and desires.
403 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2015
1429 people are currently reading
4936 people want to read
About the author
Ian Rankin
424 books6,532 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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November 2, 2025
Is this the finest Rebus book ever written? Well, I’ve yet to read a few of the very early books, but IMO, this is certainly the best of the rest!
Rankin writes intelligent, funny, and brilliantly observed crime stories, set in and around Edinburgh. Rebus, the (now) ex-copper who sets out to solve the crimes, is one of the best fictional inventions I’ve come across. A hard drinking, blunt, risk-taker, he lights up every page he features in. His bone dry one-liners are hilarious, and he espouses a tired wisdom that has me nodding along in time with his fearless enunciations.
This is a stand-alone story, but there are loads of carry over characters here: colleagues, of course, but two old adversaries also feature prominently. It starts with ‘Big Ger’ Cafferty (either an arch-enemy of Rebus or a long time drinking buddy, depending on how you choose to interpret their relationship) having a pot-shot taken at him whilst he’s at home one evening. Big Ger was once the top dog of the Edinburgh criminal underworld, but he’s in semi-retirement now. Is it an old enemy out for revenge? Or maybe it’s the new kid on the block, Daryl Christie, sending him a message? Rebus is soon called on by the local police to utilise his leverage with Cafferty, who refuses to talk to anyone else. Before you know it he’s been co-opted to the investigating team on a consultative basis. The plot thickens as a group of heavies from Glasgow are spotted snooping around Edinburgh. Are they trying to move into Christie’s turf? Did they have anything to do with the Cafferty incident?
It’s all satisfyingly complex, and the story is brilliantly told by Rankin, but the real joy here is the dialogue that bristles with menace and dark humour throughout. I just loved the flow and the atmosphere of the whole thing.
And to think that Rankin seemed to have seen off Rebus a few years back! I watched a television interview with him recently where he stated that he has a book deal that requires him to have completed his next novel by June 2016. So far, he hasn’t written a word and has no idea who will feature in the book. Please let it be Rebus, Ian – please!
Rankin writes intelligent, funny, and brilliantly observed crime stories, set in and around Edinburgh. Rebus, the (now) ex-copper who sets out to solve the crimes, is one of the best fictional inventions I’ve come across. A hard drinking, blunt, risk-taker, he lights up every page he features in. His bone dry one-liners are hilarious, and he espouses a tired wisdom that has me nodding along in time with his fearless enunciations.
This is a stand-alone story, but there are loads of carry over characters here: colleagues, of course, but two old adversaries also feature prominently. It starts with ‘Big Ger’ Cafferty (either an arch-enemy of Rebus or a long time drinking buddy, depending on how you choose to interpret their relationship) having a pot-shot taken at him whilst he’s at home one evening. Big Ger was once the top dog of the Edinburgh criminal underworld, but he’s in semi-retirement now. Is it an old enemy out for revenge? Or maybe it’s the new kid on the block, Daryl Christie, sending him a message? Rebus is soon called on by the local police to utilise his leverage with Cafferty, who refuses to talk to anyone else. Before you know it he’s been co-opted to the investigating team on a consultative basis. The plot thickens as a group of heavies from Glasgow are spotted snooping around Edinburgh. Are they trying to move into Christie’s turf? Did they have anything to do with the Cafferty incident?
It’s all satisfyingly complex, and the story is brilliantly told by Rankin, but the real joy here is the dialogue that bristles with menace and dark humour throughout. I just loved the flow and the atmosphere of the whole thing.
And to think that Rankin seemed to have seen off Rebus a few years back! I watched a television interview with him recently where he stated that he has a book deal that requires him to have completed his next novel by June 2016. So far, he hasn’t written a word and has no idea who will feature in the book. Please let it be Rebus, Ian – please!
June 18, 2024
CANE MANGIA CANE
Mi è mancata l’atmosfera, le descrizioni, sia climatiche che paesaggistiche: caldo, freddo, pioggia, nebbia, squallore o lusso riflettono anche i personaggi, raccontano quello che sentono, raccontano chi sono. Non tutti possono essere Simenon, però maggiore attenzione a questo aspetto avrebbe giovato.
Mi è mancata la psicologia dei personaggi. Per quanto riguarda il titolare della serie, l’ispettore John Rebus, e i suoi più stretti collaboratori, è assenza che si può giustificare col fatto che si tratta di ventitre romanzi e io ho iniziato dal numero venti: quindi posso presumere che questo aspetto sia stato costruito e sviluppato nei precedenti. Ma tutti i personaggi nuovi?
Il racconto va avanti soprattutto per dialoghi, sempre sufficientemente credibili, e attraverso dettagli, anche piccoli, dell’indagine: e questo dimostra in positivo una ottima conoscenza delle procedure di polizia, del loro meccanismo d’investigazione. È in questo aspetto che credo si concentri la peculiarità e la forza di Rankin.
Dopo un breve inizio che riporta alla memoria i film di Tarantino o Good Fellas – Quei bravi ragazzi di Scorsese, quelle situazioni in cui violenza e black humour vanno a braccetto – ma superato questo primo paio di pagine si astiene da splatter, niente descrizioni raccapriccianti, tutto piuttosto sobrio - Rankin si prende il suo tempo: uno sparo andato a vuoto, un altro su un albero, poi quasi a metà del libro il primo morto.
Solo a questo punto ci si ricorda che di morto ce n’è stato un altro, poco dopo l’inizio, ma sembra alquanto scollegato a questo.
E ci si ricorda che poi ne è saltato fuori un altro, ucciso prima ancora che iniziasse la storia.
E cos’è allora che cuce tutto insieme?
La voce in terza persona del narratore consente di puntare il riflettore di volta in volta su un personaggio diverso, sia tra i buoni che tra i cattivi, sia tra i poliziotti che tra i gangster.
Nella prima stagione della miniserie prodotta dalla televisione scozzese DC John Rebus ha il volto di John Hannah.
È il ventesimo romanzo della serie, e nel frattempo il suo protagonista ha da poco raggiunto l’età della pensione: le indagini sbattono contro il tempo, non solo le persone che nel frattempo sono sparite, defunte, ma in certi casi anche le istituzioni, come un certo riformatorio, che nel frattempo è diventato una clinica estetica.
Tessera dopo tessera il signor John Rebus, ex ispettore della polizia di Edimburgo ormai in pensione ma ancora più che gagliardo, risolve il rebus.
D’altra parte, pensione o meno, tutto in John Rebus scandisce “poliziotto”, come questo dialogo dimostra molto bene:
”È innamorata del suo lavoro come lo ero io. E tu?”
“In certi momenti mi assorbe completamente.”
“Qualche momento non basta . Ogni suo aspetto dovrebbe darti una scossa.”
“Per te era così?”
Rebus ci pensò un attimo: “Più ti ci immergi dentro, e più cose scopri, di te e di tutto il resto.”
A partire dalla seconda stagione e per le altre due seguenti DC John Rebus è invece interpretato da Ken Stott.
PS
Il titolo originale del libro Even Dogs in the Wild è un riferimento all’omonima canzone degli Associates che, non a caso, affronta il tema del rapporto tra genitori e figli: “Anche i cani selvaggi riescono a far meglio di certi padri”. Questo brano degli Associates è quello che viene ascoltato in macchina nella prima breve scena (tarantiniana).
Mi è mancata l’atmosfera, le descrizioni, sia climatiche che paesaggistiche: caldo, freddo, pioggia, nebbia, squallore o lusso riflettono anche i personaggi, raccontano quello che sentono, raccontano chi sono. Non tutti possono essere Simenon, però maggiore attenzione a questo aspetto avrebbe giovato.
Mi è mancata la psicologia dei personaggi. Per quanto riguarda il titolare della serie, l’ispettore John Rebus, e i suoi più stretti collaboratori, è assenza che si può giustificare col fatto che si tratta di ventitre romanzi e io ho iniziato dal numero venti: quindi posso presumere che questo aspetto sia stato costruito e sviluppato nei precedenti. Ma tutti i personaggi nuovi?
Il racconto va avanti soprattutto per dialoghi, sempre sufficientemente credibili, e attraverso dettagli, anche piccoli, dell’indagine: e questo dimostra in positivo una ottima conoscenza delle procedure di polizia, del loro meccanismo d’investigazione. È in questo aspetto che credo si concentri la peculiarità e la forza di Rankin.
Dopo un breve inizio che riporta alla memoria i film di Tarantino o Good Fellas – Quei bravi ragazzi di Scorsese, quelle situazioni in cui violenza e black humour vanno a braccetto – ma superato questo primo paio di pagine si astiene da splatter, niente descrizioni raccapriccianti, tutto piuttosto sobrio - Rankin si prende il suo tempo: uno sparo andato a vuoto, un altro su un albero, poi quasi a metà del libro il primo morto.
Solo a questo punto ci si ricorda che di morto ce n’è stato un altro, poco dopo l’inizio, ma sembra alquanto scollegato a questo.
E ci si ricorda che poi ne è saltato fuori un altro, ucciso prima ancora che iniziasse la storia.
E cos’è allora che cuce tutto insieme?
La voce in terza persona del narratore consente di puntare il riflettore di volta in volta su un personaggio diverso, sia tra i buoni che tra i cattivi, sia tra i poliziotti che tra i gangster.
Nella prima stagione della miniserie prodotta dalla televisione scozzese DC John Rebus ha il volto di John Hannah.
È il ventesimo romanzo della serie, e nel frattempo il suo protagonista ha da poco raggiunto l’età della pensione: le indagini sbattono contro il tempo, non solo le persone che nel frattempo sono sparite, defunte, ma in certi casi anche le istituzioni, come un certo riformatorio, che nel frattempo è diventato una clinica estetica.
Tessera dopo tessera il signor John Rebus, ex ispettore della polizia di Edimburgo ormai in pensione ma ancora più che gagliardo, risolve il rebus.
D’altra parte, pensione o meno, tutto in John Rebus scandisce “poliziotto”, come questo dialogo dimostra molto bene:
”È innamorata del suo lavoro come lo ero io. E tu?”
“In certi momenti mi assorbe completamente.”
“Qualche momento non basta . Ogni suo aspetto dovrebbe darti una scossa.”
“Per te era così?”
Rebus ci pensò un attimo: “Più ti ci immergi dentro, e più cose scopri, di te e di tutto il resto.”
A partire dalla seconda stagione e per le altre due seguenti DC John Rebus è invece interpretato da Ken Stott.
PS
Il titolo originale del libro Even Dogs in the Wild è un riferimento all’omonima canzone degli Associates che, non a caso, affronta il tema del rapporto tra genitori e figli: “Anche i cani selvaggi riescono a far meglio di certi padri”. Questo brano degli Associates è quello che viene ascoltato in macchina nella prima breve scena (tarantiniana).
February 4, 2017
The twentieth book in this great series finds the protagonist, former Edinburgh police detective John Rebus, finally retired. The hard work of detecting has been turned over to younger men and women like Rebus's long-time protege, Siobhan Clarke, and his one-time nemesis, Malcolm Fox. Fox, a former member of the Complaints division (Scotland's version of Internal Affairs) is still distrusted by almost every other police officer, and has been assigned to a relatively useless role assisting a surveillance team visiting from Glasgow. The team has spent months attempting to take down a major Glasgow crime family and has followed the father and son to Edinburgh, where the criminals are allegedly attempting to find a man who has stolen valuable property from them.
At the same time, Siobhan is investigating the murder of Lord David Minton an elderly, influential former prosecutor. The initial assumption is that the victim was killed during a burglary, even though nothing appears to have been taken. But then Clarke discovers that Minton had received a note threatening his life just before he was killed. Shortly thereafter, someone takes a shot at "Big Ger" Cafferty, an infamous Edinburgh crime boss. The only cop, or ex-cop, that Cafferty will even think about discussing the matter with is his long-time nemesis, John Rebus. Over the years, the two adversaries have developed a grudging respect for each other, and Rebus agrees to be the intermediary between Cafferty and the police.
The plot thickens considerably when it turns out that Cafferty received the same threatening note that Lord Minton had gotten. The case also seems to tie into the surveillance that Malcolm Fox is working, and retired or not, once John Rebus has the bit between his teeth, nothing is going to stop him from immersing himself in the investigation.
The result is one of the best entries in what has been a consistently excellent series. Rebus is in top form, and it's great to see him back in harness, working alongside Clarke and Fox. Of course, as any fan of the series knows, for John Rebus, "working alongside" his colleagues should be interpreted very loosely. Rebus has always been his own man, and he's not at all reluctant to stray off the reservation in the pursuit of an investigation, irrespective of what his supervisors or his colleagues might think. Working with him, even in "retirement," can be a very taxing exercise for those around him. But for the reader, it's enormous fun. I can only hope John Rebus is still investigating cases and frustrating his superiors for years to come.
At the same time, Siobhan is investigating the murder of Lord David Minton an elderly, influential former prosecutor. The initial assumption is that the victim was killed during a burglary, even though nothing appears to have been taken. But then Clarke discovers that Minton had received a note threatening his life just before he was killed. Shortly thereafter, someone takes a shot at "Big Ger" Cafferty, an infamous Edinburgh crime boss. The only cop, or ex-cop, that Cafferty will even think about discussing the matter with is his long-time nemesis, John Rebus. Over the years, the two adversaries have developed a grudging respect for each other, and Rebus agrees to be the intermediary between Cafferty and the police.
The plot thickens considerably when it turns out that Cafferty received the same threatening note that Lord Minton had gotten. The case also seems to tie into the surveillance that Malcolm Fox is working, and retired or not, once John Rebus has the bit between his teeth, nothing is going to stop him from immersing himself in the investigation.
The result is one of the best entries in what has been a consistently excellent series. Rebus is in top form, and it's great to see him back in harness, working alongside Clarke and Fox. Of course, as any fan of the series knows, for John Rebus, "working alongside" his colleagues should be interpreted very loosely. Rebus has always been his own man, and he's not at all reluctant to stray off the reservation in the pursuit of an investigation, irrespective of what his supervisors or his colleagues might think. Working with him, even in "retirement," can be a very taxing exercise for those around him. But for the reader, it's enormous fun. I can only hope John Rebus is still investigating cases and frustrating his superiors for years to come.
December 3, 2022
Another enjoyable book in this great series. I always feel in safe hands when I begin a Rebus novel. I do not believe this author has ever let me down.
John Rebus is properly retired by now and he does not enjoy it. He misses his police work and it appears that the police miss him too. When it becomes necessary to interview Cafferty, Rebus is the first person everyone thinks of to do the honours, and he joins the case in an honorary position. He ends up working with Siobhan and with Malcolm Fox and everything seems back to usual.
There is a lot of action. Cafferty is shot at, gang warfare appears to be about to break out in Edinburgh, Siobahn is drinking too much, Malcolm gets himself into a major pickle and Rebus gets himself a dog. All accompanied by lots of police work, very entertaining dialogue and a great story. Excellent.
John Rebus is properly retired by now and he does not enjoy it. He misses his police work and it appears that the police miss him too. When it becomes necessary to interview Cafferty, Rebus is the first person everyone thinks of to do the honours, and he joins the case in an honorary position. He ends up working with Siobhan and with Malcolm Fox and everything seems back to usual.
There is a lot of action. Cafferty is shot at, gang warfare appears to be about to break out in Edinburgh, Siobahn is drinking too much, Malcolm gets himself into a major pickle and Rebus gets himself a dog. All accompanied by lots of police work, very entertaining dialogue and a great story. Excellent.
June 20, 2020
Ningún pero que ponerle a la vigésima entrega de John Rebus (y quinta conjunta de Malcolm Fox). Ya sabíamos que Rebus no se jubilaría así como así, y aprovecha un importante caso para “colarse” como consultor. Le acompañarán, por supuesto, sus ya inseparables Fox y Siobhan, e incluso Cafferty, su némesis, ahora casi más colega que antagonista. Por ponerle una pega, creo que a Fox le sigue haciendo falta un papel más importante en estas entregas, ya que fuera de sus primeras novelas en solitario, no he visto un desarrollo muy convincente de este “ex asuntos internos”, y se limita más bien a deambular. Si va a ser el remplazo natural de Rebus, Rankin debería empezar a dotarlo de más sustancia. Al final sí que le he puesto un pero a la novela.
Magníficos diálogos en una trama en la que Rankin no ha querido invertir demasiados esfuerzos, se basta y se sobra con lo que pone encima de la mesa. Y, por supuesto, mi queridísima Edimburgo como protagonista principal (¡cuánto adoro esa ciudad!). Una Edimburgo a la que el autor debe tanto, y sus lectores, también. Y si alguno de vosotros tiene la suerte de poder visitarla en breve, no olvidéis tomar una buena pinta en el Oxford. O dos.
Magníficos diálogos en una trama en la que Rankin no ha querido invertir demasiados esfuerzos, se basta y se sobra con lo que pone encima de la mesa. Y, por supuesto, mi queridísima Edimburgo como protagonista principal (¡cuánto adoro esa ciudad!). Una Edimburgo a la que el autor debe tanto, y sus lectores, también. Y si alguno de vosotros tiene la suerte de poder visitarla en breve, no olvidéis tomar una buena pinta en el Oxford. O dos.
July 15, 2023
5 stars
This #20 in the Rebus series is a real treat for series fans.
The cast's all gathered - Rebus, Siobhan Clarke, Malcolm Fox, plus Edinburgh's best gangster Big Ger Cafferty and newcomer Darryl Christie - to join unlikely forces and chase down a serial killer with a grudge against some very important men.
Meanwhile, a posse of Glasgow gangsters hit town to find a trucker who absconded with a load of "merch". Unforgiving toes are stepped on and things get both ugly and unnecessarily complicated.
The plot is a straight police procedural, no frills, no time-wasting backstories. Just clues, conversations and more clues. Lean writing, lots of movement bouncing back and forth between the cops and the gangsters, all of whom are doing their own inquires and all of whom hold their own piece of the puzzle.
But as we might expect, it's Rebus who puts the all the puzzle pieces together correctly in the end -- despite being retired now and unable to flash his Police Scotland card around. (But clearly not yet out of the game). He's keen and on the top of his game in this one, having cut down on the booze and the smokes.
A new series character is also introduced: a chipper little terrier by the name of Brillo. A dog -something every retiree needs. Even one as sour as Rebus!
This one can be read as a stand alone, but it is much more enjoyable if you already know the characters.
This #20 in the Rebus series is a real treat for series fans.
The cast's all gathered - Rebus, Siobhan Clarke, Malcolm Fox, plus Edinburgh's best gangster Big Ger Cafferty and newcomer Darryl Christie - to join unlikely forces and chase down a serial killer with a grudge against some very important men.
Meanwhile, a posse of Glasgow gangsters hit town to find a trucker who absconded with a load of "merch". Unforgiving toes are stepped on and things get both ugly and unnecessarily complicated.
The plot is a straight police procedural, no frills, no time-wasting backstories. Just clues, conversations and more clues. Lean writing, lots of movement bouncing back and forth between the cops and the gangsters, all of whom are doing their own inquires and all of whom hold their own piece of the puzzle.
But as we might expect, it's Rebus who puts the all the puzzle pieces together correctly in the end -- despite being retired now and unable to flash his Police Scotland card around. (But clearly not yet out of the game). He's keen and on the top of his game in this one, having cut down on the booze and the smokes.
A new series character is also introduced: a chipper little terrier by the name of Brillo. A dog -something every retiree needs. Even one as sour as Rebus!
This one can be read as a stand alone, but it is much more enjoyable if you already know the characters.
December 19, 2020
Ningún pero que ponerle a la vigésima entrega de John Rebus (y quinta conjunta de Malcolm Fox). Ya sabíamos que Rebus no se jubilaría así como así, y aprovecha un importante caso para “colarse” como consultor. Le acompañarán, por supuesto, sus ya inseparables Fox y Siobhan, e incluso Cafferty, su némesis, ahora casi más colega que antagonista. Por ponerle una pega, creo que a Fox le sigue haciendo falta un papel más importante en estas entregas, ya que fuera de sus primeras novelas en solitario, no he visto un desarrollo muy convincente de este “ex asuntos internos”, y se limita más bien a deambular. Si va a ser el remplazo natural de Rebus, Rankin debería empezar a dotarlo de más sustancia. Al final sí que le he puesto un pero a la novela.
Magníficos diálogos en una trama en la que Rankin no ha querido invertir demasiados esfuerzos, se basta y se sobra con lo que pone encima de la mesa. Y, por supuesto, mi queridísima Edimburgo como protagonista principal (¡cuánto adoro esa ciudad!). Una Edimburgo a la que el autor debe tanto, y sus lectores, también. Y si alguno de vosotros tiene la suerte de poder visitarla en breve, no olvidéis tomar una buena pinta en el Oxford. O dos.
Magníficos diálogos en una trama en la que Rankin no ha querido invertir demasiados esfuerzos, se basta y se sobra con lo que pone encima de la mesa. Y, por supuesto, mi queridísima Edimburgo como protagonista principal (¡cuánto adoro esa ciudad!). Una Edimburgo a la que el autor debe tanto, y sus lectores, también. Y si alguno de vosotros tiene la suerte de poder visitarla en breve, no olvidéis tomar una buena pinta en el Oxford. O dos.
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April 26, 2020
The twentieth Rebus novel from Rankin, this one concerns a retired John Rebus who is still stuck in his routine of drinking too much IPA and wandering the streets of Edinburgh looking for another pub to drink too much IPA in. In Even Dogs in the Wild, the past comes back to haunt Rebus' old nemesis Cafferty, bringing the two of them closer together than they'd really like. Throw in Siobhan Clarke and Malcolm Fox and you have a very decent crime book.
I'm always going to enjoy Rebus novels, but this one was a bit lacking. It didn't really have a whole lot of Rebus working things out, which is what I love so much about the Rebus novels. He's not like other detectives: he actually thinks things through and works the crimes out in his mind, as opposed to other detectives who basically stumble upon the answer by accident 94% of the time.
There was also a bit too much Siobhan and Malcolm in this, but when you're protagonist is a retired detective with no business working on detecting cases, that is most likely to happen. The storyline was pretty decent and it had me guessing, but that was mostly because there weren't too many clues laid out for you.
Despite all of that, it was still much better than a lot of other people can do and I enjoyed it immensely because there were occasional sparks of wonderful Rebus action. I'd strongly suggest you don't start with this one if you're new to Rankin and Rebus, but by all means don't miss it out, either.
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I'm always going to enjoy Rebus novels, but this one was a bit lacking. It didn't really have a whole lot of Rebus working things out, which is what I love so much about the Rebus novels. He's not like other detectives: he actually thinks things through and works the crimes out in his mind, as opposed to other detectives who basically stumble upon the answer by accident 94% of the time.
There was also a bit too much Siobhan and Malcolm in this, but when you're protagonist is a retired detective with no business working on detecting cases, that is most likely to happen. The storyline was pretty decent and it had me guessing, but that was mostly because there weren't too many clues laid out for you.
Despite all of that, it was still much better than a lot of other people can do and I enjoyed it immensely because there were occasional sparks of wonderful Rebus action. I'd strongly suggest you don't start with this one if you're new to Rankin and Rebus, but by all means don't miss it out, either.
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February 4, 2023
DI Rebus is retired but his yearning for police work runs strong in him. Too strong to resist. His former protegee Siobhan Clarke has caught a baffling case. A retired Senior Prosecutor and Lord of the Realm has been murdered and the preliminary investigation uncovers a threatening note. He seems to have had no enemies. But, apparently, that was not the case.
Shortly thereafter, Big Ger Cafferty, retired local crime boss and Rebus' long-time nemesis and semi-friend has received an identical note. Additionally, someone seems to have taken a shot at Big Ger through his living room window missing by inches. What could possibly connect these two targets?
So Rebus and Clarke begin to search for possible commonality. Their search takes them to unlikely places and people. And, while their search goes on, a criminal gang from Glasgow shows up with the apparent intent of adding Edinburgh to their domain. Are they behind the killing and attempted killing?
Ian Rankin has done his usual fine job in creating an interesting and suspenseful plot with all of the required twists and turns. His writing, as always, is excellent as is his creation of three-dimensional and realistic characters, both carryovers from previous novels and new ones. His writing never seems to disappoint.
I would recommend Even Dogs in the Wild to anyone who enjoys a well-written cop investigation. This book could easily stand on its own but their is so much backstory, particularly on the relationships between the principal characters, that you would be well advised to start at the beginning of the series. Since this is #20, if you enjoy these novels, you'll be able to greatly expand your ¨to read¨ list.
Fini
Shortly thereafter, Big Ger Cafferty, retired local crime boss and Rebus' long-time nemesis and semi-friend has received an identical note. Additionally, someone seems to have taken a shot at Big Ger through his living room window missing by inches. What could possibly connect these two targets?
So Rebus and Clarke begin to search for possible commonality. Their search takes them to unlikely places and people. And, while their search goes on, a criminal gang from Glasgow shows up with the apparent intent of adding Edinburgh to their domain. Are they behind the killing and attempted killing?
Ian Rankin has done his usual fine job in creating an interesting and suspenseful plot with all of the required twists and turns. His writing, as always, is excellent as is his creation of three-dimensional and realistic characters, both carryovers from previous novels and new ones. His writing never seems to disappoint.
I would recommend Even Dogs in the Wild to anyone who enjoys a well-written cop investigation. This book could easily stand on its own but their is so much backstory, particularly on the relationships between the principal characters, that you would be well advised to start at the beginning of the series. Since this is #20, if you enjoy these novels, you'll be able to greatly expand your ¨to read¨ list.
Fini
July 1, 2019
-Δολοφονούν έναν Εισαγγελέα στην αρχή του βιβλίου ;
- Ναι, αξία ανεκτίμητη, 5 αστεράκια
- Βρίσκουν όμως τον δολοφόνο, οπότε ;
- Μείον ένα αστεράκι, ήτοι 4 αστεράκια
- Είναι όμως ίσως το καλύτερο βιβλίο του Ράνκιν που έχω διαβάσει (ΟΚ, όλα κι όλα, πέντε διάβασα), με έναν δολοφόνο να σκορπά τυφλή εκδίκηση, μια παράλληλη ιστορία του τοπικού υποκόσμου να τρέχει, και τους Επιθεωρητές Ρέμπους και Φοξ να ενώνουν τις δυνάμεις τους, και όλα αυτά σε ένα λυτρωτικό φινάλε που θες να αγκαλιάσεις τον δολοφόνο και να του πεις ότι όλα θα πάνε καλά (εκτός του ότι σκότωσε έναν Εισαγγελέα);
- Ναι
- Οπότε ;
- Συν ένα αστεράκι, ήτοι πέντε αστεράκια
- Πως μπορούσε αλλιώς να λέγεται το βιβλίο;
- Πατέρες και γιοι
- Είναι πιασμένο
-Από ποιον ;
- Από τον Τουργκένιεφ
- Ποιον ;
- Έχεις δει το Αυστηρώς Κατάλληλο των Ρέππα-Παπαθανασίου ;
-Όχι
- Να το δεις, έχει την πιο αστεία σκηνή από καταβολής ελληνικού κινηματογράφου
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98llc...
- Οπότε ;
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLA89...
ΥΓ : Disclaimer : το παρόν ακάουντ δεν υποστηρίζει την αυτοδικία ( εκτός αν πρόκειται για Εισαγγελέα ) Να εμπιστεύεστε τις Αστυνομικές και Δικαστικές αρχές
ΥΓ2 : Καλά, κάντε ό,τι σας φωτίσει ο Θεός, αλλά θα αρνηθώ τα πάντα στην απολογία μου, του στυλ "Deny everything, Baldrick"
- Ναι, αξία ανεκτίμητη, 5 αστεράκια
- Βρίσκουν όμως τον δολοφόνο, οπότε ;
- Μείον ένα αστεράκι, ήτοι 4 αστεράκια
- Είναι όμως ίσως το καλύτερο βιβλίο του Ράνκιν που έχω διαβάσει (ΟΚ, όλα κι όλα, πέντε διάβασα), με έναν δολοφόνο να σκορπά τυφλή εκδίκηση, μια παράλληλη ιστορία του τοπικού υποκόσμου να τρέχει, και τους Επιθεωρητές Ρέμπους και Φοξ να ενώνουν τις δυνάμεις τους, και όλα αυτά σε ένα λυτρωτικό φινάλε που θες να αγκαλιάσεις τον δολοφόνο και να του πεις ότι όλα θα πάνε καλά (εκτός του ότι σκότωσε έναν Εισαγγελέα);
- Ναι
- Οπότε ;
- Συν ένα αστεράκι, ήτοι πέντε αστεράκια
- Πως μπορούσε αλλιώς να λέγεται το βιβλίο;
- Πατέρες και γιοι
- Είναι πιασμένο
-Από ποιον ;
- Από τον Τουργκένιεφ
- Ποιον ;
- Έχεις δει το Αυστηρώς Κατάλληλο των Ρέππα-Παπαθανασίου ;
-Όχι
- Να το δεις, έχει την πιο αστεία σκηνή από καταβολής ελληνικού κινηματογράφου
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98llc...
- Οπότε ;
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLA89...
ΥΓ : Disclaimer : το παρόν ακάουντ δεν υποστηρίζει την αυτοδικία (
ΥΓ2 : Καλά, κάντε ό,τι σας φωτίσει ο Θεός, αλλά θα αρνηθώ τα πάντα στην απολογία μου, του στυλ "Deny everything, Baldrick"
November 5, 2015
Rebus in a deerstalker?
Siobhan Clarke has been called in to investigate the murder of David Minton, a former Lord Advocate (chief legal officer of the Scottish Government). At first, it looks like a robbery gone wrong, until a note is found on Lord Minton's body – I'M GOING TO KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID. That evening, as Siobhan and Malcolm Fox share dinner, they are told of a shooting in the city – the target Big Ger Cafferty, retired gangster and long-time Moriarty to Rebus' Holmes. The shooter missed, and Cafferty is refusing to talk to the police about it, so Siobhan suggests bringing Rebus in on it as the one man to whom Cafferty is likely to open up. Problem is Rebus is now retired (again) – and so begins his new career as a 'consulting detective'. Fox meantime has been seconded to a team through from Glasgow who are carrying out surveillance on a Glasgow gangster and his son, in Edinburgh looking for one of their employees who has betrayed them and run off with a truck-load of drugs.
The book gets off to a great start with a short prologue where two gangsters are in a forest to bury a body. But things don't go quite to plan. It takes quite a long time for all the various strands of the book to come together, but as always Rankin handles the plotting with sure skill, meting out the information with perfect timing to keep the reader's interest from flagging at any point. This book is more noir in feel than some of Rebus' recent outings, being very much about the gangsters of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The thing I love most about Rankin is that his books and characters are set very much in the real, recognisable world of present-day Scotland, and that shows through in his treatment of the gangsters here. He portrays them as less relevant than they used to be, with so many of their old fields of activity having become either legalised – money-lenders now advertise their exorbitant interest rates on TV, and gambling has become brightly lit, family fun – or less lucrative, with the police more successful in preventing protection rackets, for instance. Much organised crime is now carried out via the darknet rather than on the streets. Cafferty and his Glasgow counterpart, Joe Stark, are rather outdated dinosaurs – still dangerous in the parts of society in which they operate, but not universally feared or admired as the old-time gangsters once were. Gun crime is shown as it truly is – extremely rare and not a major issue in Scottish society. (There was 1 – yes, one – gun murder in the whole of Scotland in 2014. Sorry to be a killjoy.) It's very refreshing to get such a true picture, rather than the nonsense that fills so many books in the 'Tartan Noir' genre, most of which describe a society that is as realistic as Hobbiton, or as outdated as Dickens' London.
However, the book isn't only about the warring gangsters. There is another strand that touches on a subject very much in the current news – the historical abuse of children in care homes. Again Rankin handles this with all his usual skill and sensitivity, showing not only how it affected the children at the time but how the after-effects of abuse can cascade down through generations. And he does it without resorting to shock horror tactics, voyeuristically salacious details or crocodile tears. As a result, the story feels both authentic and credible.
There is perhaps a little less reference to the political side of Scottish life than there has been in the more recent books, but I think this is a good reflection of post-referendum life, where the close result has somewhat left the nation feeling that it's in political limbo. But the storyline touches on the power structures of both police and government, and especially on the abuse of power at the top.
This wouldn't be one I would necessarily recommend as a starting point for newcomers to Rebus. There are so many characters from previous books in it that I think it will work best for existing fans, who understand how the relationship between Rebus and Big Ger has developed over the years. But for me, a new Rebus is always a huge treat – Rankin is so in control of his writing and plotting that reading his books is an effortless joy. Another strong entry in the series that I'm sure fans will enjoy, and great to have Rebus back in action after the long two years since the last book. Here's hoping his 'consulting detective' days are not over...
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Orion.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Siobhan Clarke has been called in to investigate the murder of David Minton, a former Lord Advocate (chief legal officer of the Scottish Government). At first, it looks like a robbery gone wrong, until a note is found on Lord Minton's body – I'M GOING TO KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID. That evening, as Siobhan and Malcolm Fox share dinner, they are told of a shooting in the city – the target Big Ger Cafferty, retired gangster and long-time Moriarty to Rebus' Holmes. The shooter missed, and Cafferty is refusing to talk to the police about it, so Siobhan suggests bringing Rebus in on it as the one man to whom Cafferty is likely to open up. Problem is Rebus is now retired (again) – and so begins his new career as a 'consulting detective'. Fox meantime has been seconded to a team through from Glasgow who are carrying out surveillance on a Glasgow gangster and his son, in Edinburgh looking for one of their employees who has betrayed them and run off with a truck-load of drugs.
The book gets off to a great start with a short prologue where two gangsters are in a forest to bury a body. But things don't go quite to plan. It takes quite a long time for all the various strands of the book to come together, but as always Rankin handles the plotting with sure skill, meting out the information with perfect timing to keep the reader's interest from flagging at any point. This book is more noir in feel than some of Rebus' recent outings, being very much about the gangsters of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The thing I love most about Rankin is that his books and characters are set very much in the real, recognisable world of present-day Scotland, and that shows through in his treatment of the gangsters here. He portrays them as less relevant than they used to be, with so many of their old fields of activity having become either legalised – money-lenders now advertise their exorbitant interest rates on TV, and gambling has become brightly lit, family fun – or less lucrative, with the police more successful in preventing protection rackets, for instance. Much organised crime is now carried out via the darknet rather than on the streets. Cafferty and his Glasgow counterpart, Joe Stark, are rather outdated dinosaurs – still dangerous in the parts of society in which they operate, but not universally feared or admired as the old-time gangsters once were. Gun crime is shown as it truly is – extremely rare and not a major issue in Scottish society. (There was 1 – yes, one – gun murder in the whole of Scotland in 2014. Sorry to be a killjoy.) It's very refreshing to get such a true picture, rather than the nonsense that fills so many books in the 'Tartan Noir' genre, most of which describe a society that is as realistic as Hobbiton, or as outdated as Dickens' London.
However, the book isn't only about the warring gangsters. There is another strand that touches on a subject very much in the current news – the historical abuse of children in care homes. Again Rankin handles this with all his usual skill and sensitivity, showing not only how it affected the children at the time but how the after-effects of abuse can cascade down through generations. And he does it without resorting to shock horror tactics, voyeuristically salacious details or crocodile tears. As a result, the story feels both authentic and credible.
There is perhaps a little less reference to the political side of Scottish life than there has been in the more recent books, but I think this is a good reflection of post-referendum life, where the close result has somewhat left the nation feeling that it's in political limbo. But the storyline touches on the power structures of both police and government, and especially on the abuse of power at the top.
This wouldn't be one I would necessarily recommend as a starting point for newcomers to Rebus. There are so many characters from previous books in it that I think it will work best for existing fans, who understand how the relationship between Rebus and Big Ger has developed over the years. But for me, a new Rebus is always a huge treat – Rankin is so in control of his writing and plotting that reading his books is an effortless joy. Another strong entry in the series that I'm sure fans will enjoy, and great to have Rebus back in action after the long two years since the last book. Here's hoping his 'consulting detective' days are not over...
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Orion.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
April 7, 2020
Book 20 in The John Rebus series published 2015.
What a fantastic, enthralling read this was. After 20 books in the series it’s hard to imagine how Ian Rankin, or any author come to that, can keep coming up with the goods but believe me the Rebus books just keep getting better with each new publication.
Three really strong characters in John Rebus, Malcolm Fox and Siobhan Clarke all looking into two different cases, which look to be heading in the same direction but looks can be deceiving.
There is the case of the Lord, the lottery winner and an organised crime boss. Two are dead and one was a near miss. All were left a note saying that they were going to be killed for what they did. What did they do and what could such diametrically different people have in common?
Then there’s the case of the Glasgow mob trespassing into Edinburgh mob territory and people start dying.
Malcolm Fox and Siobhan Clarke are police officers with the Edinburgh Constabulary whilst John Rebus was an officer but is now retired.
When a task force from Glasgow arrives in Edinburgh, on the hunt for the Glasgow mob, Malcolm is recruited as liaison between the Glasgow and Edinburgh forces but it soon becomes very obvious that the Glasgow task force want nothing to do with Malcolm and treat him as an outsider. Not to be put off Malcolm does his own thing in his own way and in so doing manages to get right under the Glaswegians skin. But that’s just fine with Malcolm.
Siobhan is tasked with investigating the Death of the lord but hits a dead end and decides to ask Rebus for some help. Rebus being Rebus starts salivating at the thought of doing what he does best.
It’s fascinating watching as this all comes together with more than enough ‘well I didn’t see that coming’ moments to keep you turning pages.
An easy 5 star read.
What a fantastic, enthralling read this was. After 20 books in the series it’s hard to imagine how Ian Rankin, or any author come to that, can keep coming up with the goods but believe me the Rebus books just keep getting better with each new publication.
Three really strong characters in John Rebus, Malcolm Fox and Siobhan Clarke all looking into two different cases, which look to be heading in the same direction but looks can be deceiving.
There is the case of the Lord, the lottery winner and an organised crime boss. Two are dead and one was a near miss. All were left a note saying that they were going to be killed for what they did. What did they do and what could such diametrically different people have in common?
Then there’s the case of the Glasgow mob trespassing into Edinburgh mob territory and people start dying.
Malcolm Fox and Siobhan Clarke are police officers with the Edinburgh Constabulary whilst John Rebus was an officer but is now retired.
When a task force from Glasgow arrives in Edinburgh, on the hunt for the Glasgow mob, Malcolm is recruited as liaison between the Glasgow and Edinburgh forces but it soon becomes very obvious that the Glasgow task force want nothing to do with Malcolm and treat him as an outsider. Not to be put off Malcolm does his own thing in his own way and in so doing manages to get right under the Glaswegians skin. But that’s just fine with Malcolm.
Siobhan is tasked with investigating the Death of the lord but hits a dead end and decides to ask Rebus for some help. Rebus being Rebus starts salivating at the thought of doing what he does best.
It’s fascinating watching as this all comes together with more than enough ‘well I didn’t see that coming’ moments to keep you turning pages.
An easy 5 star read.
March 2, 2025
I struggled with this but it's probably because it's my first Ian Rankin book and this particular book was number 20 in the series, I shall try the first book in the series and see how I get on from there.
Three stars.
Three stars.
November 24, 2019
Η επιθεωρήτρια Σιβόν Κλαρκ ερευνά το θάνατο ενός ηλικιωμένου δικηγόρου ο οποίος είχε λάβει ένα απειλητικό σημείωμα. Όταν ο παλέμαχος γκάνγκστερ Τζο Κάφερτι γλιτώνει από μια απόπειρα εναντίον της ζωής του, η Σιβόν αποφασίζει να ζητήσει τη βοήθεια του απόστρατου, πλέον, Τζον Ρέμπους.
Την ίδια στιγμή ο επιθεωρητής Μάλκολμ Φοξ γίνεται μέλος μιας μυστικής ομάδας από τη Γλασκώβη που παρακολουθεί μια οικογένεια του υποκόσμου. Οι τρεις τους καλούνται να βρουν πως ενώνονται όλα τα γεγονότα και τι κρύβεται πίσω από τις δολοφονίες.
Απολαυστικοί διάλογοι, περίπλοκο μυστήριο και τρεις επιθεωρητές έτοιμοι για όλα.
Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο blog μου.
Την ίδια στιγμή ο επιθεωρητής Μάλκολμ Φοξ γίνεται μέλος μιας μυστικής ομάδας από τη Γλασκώβη που παρακολουθεί μια οικογένεια του υποκόσμου. Οι τρεις τους καλούνται να βρουν πως ενώνονται όλα τα γεγονότα και τι κρύβεται πίσω από τις δολοφονίες.
Απολαυστικοί διάλογοι, περίπλοκο μυστήριο και τρεις επιθεωρητές έτοιμοι για όλα.
Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο blog μου.
September 21, 2018
I was miffed when, in his last book, the author had Detective Inspector Rebus retire and I figured that it was the end of a long running and enjoyable series. Wrong! Rebus is back because he just can't stop being a police investigator and the police have found that they may not be able to do without him. His former partners enlist his help as a paid "consultant" as they investigate the murder of a senior government prosecutor. Rebus is back in his element and even teams up (to a point) with his nemesis Big Ger Cafferty, Edinburgh's crime boss who is now semi-retired.
The story is typical Rebus.....intricate and full of surprises. My one gripe is that there are way too many characters who come and go so quickly that it had me thinking "Now who was that?". Otherwise Rebus is in top form and his retirement becomes a rather secondary issue, thank heavens.
One caveat......if you are new to this series, this would not be the book to read initially since there are many references to previous crimes and personal relationships which would be confusing to the new reader.
The story is typical Rebus.....intricate and full of surprises. My one gripe is that there are way too many characters who come and go so quickly that it had me thinking "Now who was that?". Otherwise Rebus is in top form and his retirement becomes a rather secondary issue, thank heavens.
One caveat......if you are new to this series, this would not be the book to read initially since there are many references to previous crimes and personal relationships which would be confusing to the new reader.
October 17, 2016
I have read other books in Rankin's Rebus series, and enjoyed them immensely. This one, not so much. There are too many characters, too many plot threads, an absence of needed transitions, frequent lack of clarity about who is actually in a scene, and not enough 'helps' for readers to keep track of the interlocking events. That said, there were some excellent moments. It seems like another edit or two might have eliminated the problems I had with this book and made it the equal of others in the series.
August 24, 2019
Another volume from the excellent John Rebus series.
In this installment Rebus has just been pensioned, which does no seem to restrict him in his usual investigations.
Almost 5 stars.
----------------------------
John Rebus ist in Rente gegangen, kehrt aber unverzüglich als ziviler Berater zurück.
Dieser Band dreht sich in erster Linie um verdeckte Ermittlungen gegen eine Glasgower Gangsterfamilie und um eine Mordserie, deren Motiv weit in der Vergangenheit liegt, aber deswegen nicht weniger grauenvoll ist.
Ian Rankin beschreibt Edinburgh und generell Schottland als harten, kalten und schwierigen Ort, was aus Polizeiperspektive durchaus stimmen mag. Ich hoffe dennoch, dass Schottland auch für Einheimische eine weichere und schönere Seite hat.
Wie alle Bücher in der Reihe hat mir auch dieser Band sehr gut gefallen.
In this installment Rebus has just been pensioned, which does no seem to restrict him in his usual investigations.
Almost 5 stars.
----------------------------
John Rebus ist in Rente gegangen, kehrt aber unverzüglich als ziviler Berater zurück.
Dieser Band dreht sich in erster Linie um verdeckte Ermittlungen gegen eine Glasgower Gangsterfamilie und um eine Mordserie, deren Motiv weit in der Vergangenheit liegt, aber deswegen nicht weniger grauenvoll ist.
Ian Rankin beschreibt Edinburgh und generell Schottland als harten, kalten und schwierigen Ort, was aus Polizeiperspektive durchaus stimmen mag. Ich hoffe dennoch, dass Schottland auch für Einheimische eine weichere und schönere Seite hat.
Wie alle Bücher in der Reihe hat mir auch dieser Band sehr gut gefallen.
December 19, 2015
I have read the entire Rebus series, so I had a reasonable idea about what kind of book to expect. So it panned out, it was a comfort and a thrill to read Even Dogs in the Wild. There are all the familiar characters - Rebus, Fox, Shiv and Cafferty. Contemporary issues from the real world are infused beautifully into the book.
There are two investigations at the heart of the book. The murder of Lord Minton and the attempted shooting of Cafferty where both have threatening notes and the covert operation following Glasgow gangsters in Edinburgh. Rebus finds himself employed as a Police Consultant. A twisted trail leads to ugly deeds by the establishment and the cover ups.
An engrossing and engaging read. Well written and plotted by Ian Rankin as always. When is the next book coming out?
There are two investigations at the heart of the book. The murder of Lord Minton and the attempted shooting of Cafferty where both have threatening notes and the covert operation following Glasgow gangsters in Edinburgh. Rebus finds himself employed as a Police Consultant. A twisted trail leads to ugly deeds by the establishment and the cover ups.
An engrossing and engaging read. Well written and plotted by Ian Rankin as always. When is the next book coming out?
November 7, 2015
Perfect!
My View:
Make a date for a great night in - settle yourself somewhere warm and cosy (your favourite reading chair perhaps…) have a glass of whiskey to the ready (to keep in sync with the protagonist’s choice of spirits) and a couple of Dark Side Truffles (http://www.darksidechocolates.com.au/) - Rebus has yet to be introduced to this delight but I am sure he would love them. Now, comfortable? Good, grab your copy of Ian Rankin’s outstanding, intriguing and realistic, must read in one sitting, Even Dogs In the Wild and enjoy a fantastic night in!
My View:
Make a date for a great night in - settle yourself somewhere warm and cosy (your favourite reading chair perhaps…) have a glass of whiskey to the ready (to keep in sync with the protagonist’s choice of spirits) and a couple of Dark Side Truffles (http://www.darksidechocolates.com.au/) - Rebus has yet to be introduced to this delight but I am sure he would love them. Now, comfortable? Good, grab your copy of Ian Rankin’s outstanding, intriguing and realistic, must read in one sitting, Even Dogs In the Wild and enjoy a fantastic night in!
March 12, 2016
Description: Even Dogs in the Wild brings back Ian Rankin's greatest characters in a novel that explores the darkest corners of our instincts and desires.
Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke is investigating the death of a senior lawyer during a robbery. The case becomes more complex when a note is discovered, indicating that this may have been no random attack. When local gangster Big Ger Cafferty receives an identical message, Clarke decides that the recently retired John Rebus may be able to help. Together the two old adversaries might just stand a chance of saving Cafferty's skin.
But a notorious family tailed by a team of undercover detectives has also arrived in Edinburgh. There's something they want, and they'll stop at nothing to get it. As the cases collide, it's a game of dog eat dog--in the city as in the wild.
Opening: Malcolm Fox woke from another of his bad dreams. He reckoned he knew why he’d started having them – uncertainty about his job. He wasn’t entirely sure he wanted it any more, and feared he was surplus to requirements anyway. Yesterday, he’d been told he had to travel to Dundee to fill a vacant post for a couple of shifts. When he asked why, he was told the officer he’d be replacing had been ordered to cover for someone else in Glasgow.
‘Isn’t it easier just to send me to Glasgow, then?’ Fox had enquired.
Ian Rankin discusses Even Dogs In The Wild
Soundtrack to the book, which is a paltry affair this time:
Bruce Hornsby & the Range - The Way It Is
Quicksilver Girl- Steve Miller Band
Even dogs in the wild - The Associates
3* Knots and Crosses (Inspector Rebus, #1)
3* Hide and Seek (Inspector Rebus, #2)
4* Tooth and Nail (Inspector Rebus, #3)
3* Strip Jack (Inspector Rebus, #4)
3* The Black Book (Inspector Rebus, #5)
3* Mortal Causes (Inspector Rebus, #6)
3* Let It Bleed (Inspector Rebus, #7)
3* Black and Blue (Inspector Rebus, #8)
3* The Hanging Garden (Inspector Rebus, #9)
3* Dead Souls (Inspector Rebus, #10)
2* Death Is Not the End (Inspector Rebus, #10.5)
3* Set in Darkness (Inspector Rebus, #11)
4* The Falls (Inspector Rebus, #12)
4* Resurrection Men (Inspector Rebus, #13)
4* A Question of Blood (Inspector Rebus, #14)
4* Fleshmarket Close (Inspector Rebus, #15)
4* The Naming of the Dead (Inspector Rebus, #16)
4* Exit Music (Inspector Rebus, #17)
5* Standing in Another Man's Grave (Inspector Rebus, #18)
4* Saints of the Shadow Bible (Inspector Rebus, #19)
4* Even Dogs in the Wild (Inspector Rebus, #20)
3* In the Nick of Time: John Rebus vs. Roy Grace
4* A Good Hanging: Short Stories
2* Beggars Banquet
4* The Complaints
4* The Impossible Dead
Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke is investigating the death of a senior lawyer during a robbery. The case becomes more complex when a note is discovered, indicating that this may have been no random attack. When local gangster Big Ger Cafferty receives an identical message, Clarke decides that the recently retired John Rebus may be able to help. Together the two old adversaries might just stand a chance of saving Cafferty's skin.
But a notorious family tailed by a team of undercover detectives has also arrived in Edinburgh. There's something they want, and they'll stop at nothing to get it. As the cases collide, it's a game of dog eat dog--in the city as in the wild.
Opening: Malcolm Fox woke from another of his bad dreams. He reckoned he knew why he’d started having them – uncertainty about his job. He wasn’t entirely sure he wanted it any more, and feared he was surplus to requirements anyway. Yesterday, he’d been told he had to travel to Dundee to fill a vacant post for a couple of shifts. When he asked why, he was told the officer he’d be replacing had been ordered to cover for someone else in Glasgow.
‘Isn’t it easier just to send me to Glasgow, then?’ Fox had enquired.
Ian Rankin discusses Even Dogs In The Wild Darryl Christie wasn’t a huge fan of Glasgow. It sprawled in a way his own city didn’t. And there were still traces of the old enmity between Catholic and Protestant – of course that existed in Edinburgh too, but it had never quite defined the place the way it did Glasgow. The people spoke differently here, and had a garrulousness to them that spilled over into physical swagger. They were, as they chanted on the football terraces, ‘the people’. But they were not Darryl Christie’s people. Edinburgh could seem tame by comparison, head always below the parapet, keeping itself to itself. In the independence referendum, Edinburgh had voted No and Glasgow Yes, the latter parading its saltired allegiance around George Square night after night, or else protesting media bias outside the BBC headquarters.
‘He said, changing the subject. It’s Kate Atkinson.’
‘Any good?’
‘Someone keeps coming back from the dead.’
‘Not a bad fit for this evening, then.
Soundtrack to the book, which is a paltry affair this time:
Bruce Hornsby & the Range - The Way It Is
Quicksilver Girl- Steve Miller Band
Even dogs in the wild - The Associates
Somewhere deep in the night
There's a child on his own
And his pulse isn't there
And the house is aglow
With the light from outside
Well the house is aglow
There's a mattress downstairs
Full of brown peppered holes
And the hoarse hair is coarse
Not as coarse and as rough
As the rash thoughts that never heal sores
3* Knots and Crosses (Inspector Rebus, #1)
3* Hide and Seek (Inspector Rebus, #2)
4* Tooth and Nail (Inspector Rebus, #3)
3* Strip Jack (Inspector Rebus, #4)
3* The Black Book (Inspector Rebus, #5)
3* Mortal Causes (Inspector Rebus, #6)
3* Let It Bleed (Inspector Rebus, #7)
3* Black and Blue (Inspector Rebus, #8)
3* The Hanging Garden (Inspector Rebus, #9)
3* Dead Souls (Inspector Rebus, #10)
2* Death Is Not the End (Inspector Rebus, #10.5)
3* Set in Darkness (Inspector Rebus, #11)
4* The Falls (Inspector Rebus, #12)
4* Resurrection Men (Inspector Rebus, #13)
4* A Question of Blood (Inspector Rebus, #14)
4* Fleshmarket Close (Inspector Rebus, #15)
4* The Naming of the Dead (Inspector Rebus, #16)
4* Exit Music (Inspector Rebus, #17)
5* Standing in Another Man's Grave (Inspector Rebus, #18)
4* Saints of the Shadow Bible (Inspector Rebus, #19)
4* Even Dogs in the Wild (Inspector Rebus, #20)
3* In the Nick of Time: John Rebus vs. Roy Grace
4* A Good Hanging: Short Stories
2* Beggars Banquet
4* The Complaints
4* The Impossible Dead
January 3, 2016
In many respects, Even Dogs in the Wild feels like Ian Rankin’s magnum opus; like he’s been building towards this moment, this novel, since he started writing all those years ago. It brings together many of his greatest characters – John Rebus (of course); Siobhan Clarke; Malcolm Fox; and Ger Cafferty, to name just a few – and pits them against a dark, violent, enigmatic foe, who is targeting the Edinburgh underbelly’s most fearsome players.
Rebus is retired now, of course. Like Michael Connelly, Rankin made the decision long ago to age his protagonist in real time, and as his inaugural readership has aged, so too has the character. But Rebus’s blood runs blue – take away the badge and the official responsibility, but he’s still the same man; he retains that insatiable thirst for justice, and to bury his nose in other people’s business. So when Cafferty is targeted by this mysterious gunman, it doesn’t take much to rope Rebus into the investigation. His relationship with Cafferty has taken an interesting turn in recent years since his retirement. It would be a mistake to call them friends, but the animosity between the two has dissipated now that their societal roles are opaque. So, too, has Rebus’s relationship with Malcolm Fox turned into something more reminiscent of friendship; a mutual respect has garnered in the years since Fox was with the complaints (internal affairs) and was investigating the perennially insubordinate Rebus. In fact, the first sparks of true mateship starting to flicker…
So, there is plenty for veteran readers to enjoy; an added dimension that newcomers might not wholly appreciate, but will undoubtedly value the added texture of Rebus’s world. Thankfully, the core mystery itself – Who is the killer? What’s his beef? – is packed with twists and turns, and revelations that’ll leave readers floored. After 20 years of writing crime, Rankin is a grandmaster of the genre, and his year’s sabbatical has reinvigorated his already-stellar storytelling flair. While I was saddened when Rebus retired, my greatest fear was that he might later be shoehorned into subsequent novels; his name carries a ton of cache, after all. I’m thrilled that hasn’t been the case. Rebus still belongs in this world, and it’s clear Rankin has plenty more to say about the character, and through his perspective.
Even Dogs in the Wild is a brilliant novel; a page-turner with great depth. If this is what we get when Ian Rankin takes a year off to recharge his batteries, I’d be content to wait two years between novels; not happy, no way; but willing to comply.
Rebus is retired now, of course. Like Michael Connelly, Rankin made the decision long ago to age his protagonist in real time, and as his inaugural readership has aged, so too has the character. But Rebus’s blood runs blue – take away the badge and the official responsibility, but he’s still the same man; he retains that insatiable thirst for justice, and to bury his nose in other people’s business. So when Cafferty is targeted by this mysterious gunman, it doesn’t take much to rope Rebus into the investigation. His relationship with Cafferty has taken an interesting turn in recent years since his retirement. It would be a mistake to call them friends, but the animosity between the two has dissipated now that their societal roles are opaque. So, too, has Rebus’s relationship with Malcolm Fox turned into something more reminiscent of friendship; a mutual respect has garnered in the years since Fox was with the complaints (internal affairs) and was investigating the perennially insubordinate Rebus. In fact, the first sparks of true mateship starting to flicker…
So, there is plenty for veteran readers to enjoy; an added dimension that newcomers might not wholly appreciate, but will undoubtedly value the added texture of Rebus’s world. Thankfully, the core mystery itself – Who is the killer? What’s his beef? – is packed with twists and turns, and revelations that’ll leave readers floored. After 20 years of writing crime, Rankin is a grandmaster of the genre, and his year’s sabbatical has reinvigorated his already-stellar storytelling flair. While I was saddened when Rebus retired, my greatest fear was that he might later be shoehorned into subsequent novels; his name carries a ton of cache, after all. I’m thrilled that hasn’t been the case. Rebus still belongs in this world, and it’s clear Rankin has plenty more to say about the character, and through his perspective.
Even Dogs in the Wild is a brilliant novel; a page-turner with great depth. If this is what we get when Ian Rankin takes a year off to recharge his batteries, I’d be content to wait two years between novels; not happy, no way; but willing to comply.
January 10, 2021
The taxi dropped Rebus at the top of Cafferty’s street. A woman was walking her superannuated dog. It was seven inches high and hugely interested in a lamp post. The roadway and pavement were bathed in sodium orange, the moon overhead illuminating a veil of white cloud. A quiet orderly part of town. Rebus doubted there were too many YES posters in the windows here during the independence campaign. The moneyed class here kept its opinions to itself…
Even Dogs in the Wild opens with a flashback to two villains, sent to dispose of a body in a wood outside Edinburgh, when everything turns wrong. In present times, John Rebus is eagerly “coaxed” out of semi-retirement to assist DI Siobhan Clarke and her team find the murderer of retired high profile lawyer, Minton, one-time Lord Advocate for the Scottish parliament. The case has similarities to the death of a lottery winner in Linlithgow, and an attempt on the life of local underworld identity, Big Ger Cafferty, recently released from prison.
Meanwhile, DI Malcolm Fox (The Complaints), usually a desk jockey, is assigned as local assistance to a team keeping surveillance on a Glasgow crime family, Joe Stark and his son Dennis - ostensibly in Edinburgh looking for haulage boss Hamish Wright (and missing freight therein): but are they really there to muscle in on Big Ger’s territory and that of his nascent rival, Darryl Christie?
With the threat of a gangland war looming, Rebus faces off with Big Ger, a man he spent most of his career trying to put behind bars for protection rackets, Big Ger in need of protection himself, for actions in his past.
‘It’s a can of worms your lot would be opening, it’s a room full of snakes. Everything got kept quiet, Acorn House was shut down without a murmur. I can’t think of anyone who’d thank you for shining a torch on any of it.’
In the author’s style, fast witty dialogue is interspersed with exquisite narrative passages, loaded with Rebus’ unspoken social commentary, and this one held my attention from the first page to the last.
They were approaching the Shore. A few stragglers from the local bars and restaurants were wending their way home, or waiting to flag down non-existent taxis. Rebus paused on the bridge, waiting for Dunn to answer, the Water of Leith dark and still below them.
Verdict: flawless.
Even Dogs in the Wild opens with a flashback to two villains, sent to dispose of a body in a wood outside Edinburgh, when everything turns wrong. In present times, John Rebus is eagerly “coaxed” out of semi-retirement to assist DI Siobhan Clarke and her team find the murderer of retired high profile lawyer, Minton, one-time Lord Advocate for the Scottish parliament. The case has similarities to the death of a lottery winner in Linlithgow, and an attempt on the life of local underworld identity, Big Ger Cafferty, recently released from prison.
Meanwhile, DI Malcolm Fox (The Complaints), usually a desk jockey, is assigned as local assistance to a team keeping surveillance on a Glasgow crime family, Joe Stark and his son Dennis - ostensibly in Edinburgh looking for haulage boss Hamish Wright (and missing freight therein): but are they really there to muscle in on Big Ger’s territory and that of his nascent rival, Darryl Christie?
With the threat of a gangland war looming, Rebus faces off with Big Ger, a man he spent most of his career trying to put behind bars for protection rackets, Big Ger in need of protection himself, for actions in his past.
‘It’s a can of worms your lot would be opening, it’s a room full of snakes. Everything got kept quiet, Acorn House was shut down without a murmur. I can’t think of anyone who’d thank you for shining a torch on any of it.’
In the author’s style, fast witty dialogue is interspersed with exquisite narrative passages, loaded with Rebus’ unspoken social commentary, and this one held my attention from the first page to the last.
They were approaching the Shore. A few stragglers from the local bars and restaurants were wending their way home, or waiting to flag down non-existent taxis. Rebus paused on the bridge, waiting for Dunn to answer, the Water of Leith dark and still below them.
Verdict: flawless.
January 6, 2017
They retired Rebus in the 19th novel in the series, but they can’t keep him down. In this, the 20th Rebus mystery, he proves that experience and relationships still count in solving a case It all begins when someone takes a shot at Rebus’ long time on-again-off-again bete noir, Big Ger Cafferty. As a result, Rebus becomes part of an investigation headed by his former sidekick, Siobhan Clarke, as a consulting detective.
Clarke’s brief is the murder of David Minton, retired Lord Advocate, initially thought to be the result of a housebreaking, at least until Rebus begins to put two and two together. Meanwhile, another sub-plot involves Malcolm Fox, formerly of Professional Standards, and now a DI, involving the surveillance of a couple of heavyweight gangsters from Glasgow, now in Edinburgh presumably looking for a miscreant who stole goods and cash from them. But are they really there to take over Cafferty’s territory?
The author wraps up the main plot by having Rebus, Clarke and Fox put the various clues together after Cafferty remembers a long lost thought. It is always a pleasure to read a Rebus novel, and I look forward to reading the 21st in the series, Rather Be the Devil, to be published January 31, 2017.
Highly recommended.
Clarke’s brief is the murder of David Minton, retired Lord Advocate, initially thought to be the result of a housebreaking, at least until Rebus begins to put two and two together. Meanwhile, another sub-plot involves Malcolm Fox, formerly of Professional Standards, and now a DI, involving the surveillance of a couple of heavyweight gangsters from Glasgow, now in Edinburgh presumably looking for a miscreant who stole goods and cash from them. But are they really there to take over Cafferty’s territory?
The author wraps up the main plot by having Rebus, Clarke and Fox put the various clues together after Cafferty remembers a long lost thought. It is always a pleasure to read a Rebus novel, and I look forward to reading the 21st in the series, Rather Be the Devil, to be published January 31, 2017.
Highly recommended.
May 5, 2016
I like that Rankin is combining his Fox and Rebus books and has also brought along Clarke as well. I'm wondering if he will continue including first-person perspectives from the "villains" Darryl Christie and Joe Stark and Ger Cafferty?
I think there's atleast one more epic Rebus book where he and Cafferty make their last stand and he passes the baton over to Clarke and Fox?
Anyway enough ruminating about the series as a whole, let's review this entry, titled EVEN DOGS IN THE WILD. I agree with others that this one of the best books in the John Rebus series. Rankin does a really good job of combining multiple threads and mysteries while simultaneously including material which develops the emotional aspects of his characters (Rebus visiting his grandkid, Fox and Clarke getting closer, the fate of "Brillo").
I think there's atleast one more epic Rebus book where he and Cafferty make their last stand and he passes the baton over to Clarke and Fox?
Anyway enough ruminating about the series as a whole, let's review this entry, titled EVEN DOGS IN THE WILD. I agree with others that this one of the best books in the John Rebus series. Rankin does a really good job of combining multiple threads and mysteries while simultaneously including material which develops the emotional aspects of his characters (Rebus visiting his grandkid, Fox and Clarke getting closer, the fate of "Brillo").
November 18, 2015
Hmmmm.....
I'm a massive Ian Rankin fan but up until the last few chapters this one bored me silly. I never failed to finish one of his before but halfway through I nearly gave up mainly due to a lack of crime and therefore lack of case bulked out by all of the characters from Ian Rankins recent novels: Rebus, cafferty, Malcolm Fox, Siobhan Clarke etc. Only in the last few chapters did it come together for a fairly satisfactory ending.
25 years ago Ian Rankin struggled to make a living as an author writing better books than this. If he'd tried to get this published 25 years ago we'd never have heard of him a quarter century later.
I'm a massive Ian Rankin fan but up until the last few chapters this one bored me silly. I never failed to finish one of his before but halfway through I nearly gave up mainly due to a lack of crime and therefore lack of case bulked out by all of the characters from Ian Rankins recent novels: Rebus, cafferty, Malcolm Fox, Siobhan Clarke etc. Only in the last few chapters did it come together for a fairly satisfactory ending.
25 years ago Ian Rankin struggled to make a living as an author writing better books than this. If he'd tried to get this published 25 years ago we'd never have heard of him a quarter century later.
May 18, 2017
Rebus is the best! But now he's a consulting detective, having recently retired. His talented and no-nonsense former sidekick, the newly minted Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke, has allowed Rebus to insert himself into a serial murder case that somehow involves "Big Ger" Cafferty, the retiring king of the Edinburgh underworld, Darryl Christie, the up-and-coming pretender, and Joe Stark, the big boss of Glasgow.
Unexpected twists abound, and the world of the hard men is so cold, dark, and empty you could spit, and it would freeze in mid-air.
Ian Rankin is getting better.
Unexpected twists abound, and the world of the hard men is so cold, dark, and empty you could spit, and it would freeze in mid-air.
Ian Rankin is getting better.
January 24, 2025
John Rebus was never a man to take up crown green bowling in his retirement, or sit quietly reading books, or take his granddaughter into the local park. To make things worse his doctor has warned him, this time seriously, to cut back on the drinking. What solace can a man have when hobbies are boring and the booze needs to become a memory? Go back to work - in an unofficial capacity. Meanwhile, on the other side of the fence, Big Ger Cafferty has retired from his life of vicious gang leader, until someone takes a potshot at him through his living room window. Add the two together plus the unexplained murder of Lord Minton, Scotland's Lord Advocate no less, and the scene is set for an investigation into some of the darkest crannies of crime.
Once Rebus is brought back into the field we meet the old characters and some of the usual suspects: Siobhan Clarke, Malcolm Fox, Big Ger and his deceptively smooth successor Darryl Christie, and the Glasgow Big Man, Joe Stark with his little shit of a son Dennis. What unfurls is an intricate plot of past despicable crimes, threats of inter-city gang warfare, coppers behaving suspiciously, and general violence. Thank goodness Rebus is only in his 60s, an older man might have struggled and, to show his new almost temperate self, Laphroiag only receives one mention.
I was wondering whether to bring up Brillo. It does no harm, Brillo is never a spoiler in the plot, only a lonely stray pooch. I was hoping the author would use him as Graham Greene used Harry Lime's cat in the movie of The Third Man. After Holly is scratched by the cat Anna, Harry Lime's lover, tells him "it only liked Harry." The scene moves to the cat on the street miaowing and curling around the feet of a strange man standing in a shadowed doorway. Better than an identity parade. It only liked Harry. Unfortunately nothing like that happens. Brillo is a red herring as well as a stray dog and has no say in identifying the murderer.
A beautifully constructed novel with the characters gathering around Rebus as the lynchpin. Perhaps he will get to play a King Lear figure in a future episode with some of his police family plotting the old man's fall. I don't think that happens but it's a nice thought.
Once Rebus is brought back into the field we meet the old characters and some of the usual suspects: Siobhan Clarke, Malcolm Fox, Big Ger and his deceptively smooth successor Darryl Christie, and the Glasgow Big Man, Joe Stark with his little shit of a son Dennis. What unfurls is an intricate plot of past despicable crimes, threats of inter-city gang warfare, coppers behaving suspiciously, and general violence. Thank goodness Rebus is only in his 60s, an older man might have struggled and, to show his new almost temperate self, Laphroiag only receives one mention.
I was wondering whether to bring up Brillo. It does no harm, Brillo is never a spoiler in the plot, only a lonely stray pooch. I was hoping the author would use him as Graham Greene used Harry Lime's cat in the movie of The Third Man. After Holly is scratched by the cat Anna, Harry Lime's lover, tells him "it only liked Harry." The scene moves to the cat on the street miaowing and curling around the feet of a strange man standing in a shadowed doorway. Better than an identity parade. It only liked Harry. Unfortunately nothing like that happens. Brillo is a red herring as well as a stray dog and has no say in identifying the murderer.
A beautifully constructed novel with the characters gathering around Rebus as the lynchpin. Perhaps he will get to play a King Lear figure in a future episode with some of his police family plotting the old man's fall. I don't think that happens but it's a nice thought.
July 28, 2023
I've been reading Rebus novels off and on and out of order for a while now. I liked them well enough to pick one up when I see it on sale or in a bargain bin. But I must say that this one I really enjoyed immensely. Thought it was a great story and it did have a few surprises also.
September 22, 2019
Terrific Scottish crime novel.
“...(he) had long known that the world of the gangster was the world of the capitalist. Markets had to be created, sustained and expanded, competition nullified. Bigger meant safer...”.
Ian Rankin sets his novels firmly in a larger context of politics and personalities, resulting in a completely satisfying read. Humor borne of character interactions and compelling plot twists are in evidence once again.
“...(he) had long known that the world of the gangster was the world of the capitalist. Markets had to be created, sustained and expanded, competition nullified. Bigger meant safer...”.
Ian Rankin sets his novels firmly in a larger context of politics and personalities, resulting in a completely satisfying read. Humor borne of character interactions and compelling plot twists are in evidence once again.
November 25, 2015
Woo-hoo! A new Rankin/Rebus on the horizon. Please, please someone send me an ARC. I'm willing to offer $$$, house cleaning services, one of the kids....
Update Nov. 25th: review to follow
Update Nov. 25th: review to follow
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