Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

This is the discussion for Knots and crosses by Ian Rankin. Your moderator is Paul

HNR

I read this book a while ago when I was lucky enough to get a whole box of Rankin's books. It was a rare treat to read them just about back to back and to actually feel I knew Det. John Rebus.

Usually I get tired of main characters who are flawed but John Rebus is enough of a character that I keep going back for more. Like the others Knots and Crosses has a smart story line, realistic tension and three-dimensional characters. Good stuff!

Terrific book. Very clever plot & great writing. Envy those who are reading this for the first time!

Will read this as soon as it comes to my library

I've never read Ian Rankin - just got a copy of this and am looking forward to starting. Who would you compare Rankin to as an author and is Rebus like any other serial characters? Hoping this is going to be the start of an interesting relationship!

Good question but a tough one. I don't usually think about comparisons when reading but I would say that Rebus reminds me a bit like of Robert CraisRobert Crais's character, Elvis Cole. Both are smart (Cole is a private investigator, not hard drinking like Rebus) but not always willing to do the right thing.

Finished this now. Have to say I was a bit disappointed. Rebus doesn't seem like all that great a cop. Think I've been a bit too spoiled by Connelly, Flynn, Baldacci and Child!

Does this series get any better?

On the plus side I thought the characters were down to earth and believable.

Ian Rankin's books are gritty and noirish. I wouldn't compare him to any American author. The closest I can come is Peter Turnbull, but that's not right. His are more ensemble.

I read this a few years ago now. I remember it as giving a good introduction to the character of Rebus whilst still retaining the gritty reality of police work rather than the soft soap niceness we get from some detective stories.

I really enjoyed the writing & clever plotting. Head & shoulders above the usual slash & dash mystery/thriller.

I don't think I'll be reading any more in this series.

Paul wrote: "I don't think I'll be reading any more in this series."
Wow - that's surprising. But then again the authors you prefer are not my favorites. Different strokes......:-)

Ian Rankin's Rebus books are great. The first couple are often hit or miss. But RESURRECTION MEN is fantastic and they are all uniformly excellent after that. I read it first and then went back and read the earlier books in the series.

MadProfessah wrote: "Ian Rankin's Rebus books are great. The first couple are often hit or miss. But RESURRECTION MEN is fantastic and they are all uniformly excellent after that. I read it first and then went back and..."

That's a good point. Many author's first books aren't as good as the ones that follow. I read early Robert Crais, but, thought the books were more fun than actual thrillers. Now, he has honed his art and it is obvious that he has learned his craft.

I would imagine, the same could be said for Ian Rankin. When I read Knots and Crosses, I really wasn't impressed. But, I understand that he has since, also honed his craft. Looking forward to see just how much this is true.

MadProfessah wrote: "Ian Rankin's Rebus books are great. The first couple are often hit or miss. But RESURRECTION MEN is fantastic and they are all uniformly excellent after that. I read it first and then went back and..."

I might have to give him one more go in that case. Considering the fact he lives very close to me, I'd hate to not give him a proper chance!

What's the best Robert Crais novel to start with? He's set his books in Los Angeles but his first book "The Monkey's Cage" doesn't do much for me.

I would note that Michael Connelly is an exception to this rule. His first book, The Black Echo is brilliant, and the Bosch books are generally high-quality from then on.

Patricia Cornwell is the reverse. She starts off BRILLIANTLY and slowly the books got worse and worse until they became unreadable, IMHO. I gave up around "Blow Fly" I think...

MadProfessah wrote: "What's the best Robert Crais novel to start with? He's set his books in Los Angeles but his first book "The Monkey's Cage" doesn't do much for me.

I would note that Michael Connelly is an exceptio..."

To me, Robert Crais has just gotten better and better. I like both the Elvis Cole and Joe Pike books. I always like to read a series in order as it keeps their lives in retrospect and as it evolves. Plus, with the Elvis Cole series, you get to "watch" Crais evolve in front of you. By the time he starts doing separate Joe Pike books, he has become a much better writer than you'll see in the 1st few Elvis Cole books.

I love when I get to see that happen. And, now, he is writing other books besides the Cole/Pike series which are intertwined.

I'm glad I finally got the opportunity to read Ian Rankin. Thank to the nominator from me.

It feels strange to be reading a book that was written as contemporary nearly 30 years ago, but not at all in a bad way.

MadProfessah wrote: "What's the best Robert Crais novel to start with? He's set his books in Los Angeles but his first book "The Monkey's Cage" doesn't do much for me.

I would note that Michael Connelly is an exceptio..."

I've only read one Crais book and loved it! Okay, so it features a dog as a major character and I love dogs. I highly recommend Suspect by Robert Crais

MadProfessah wrote: "What's the best Robert Crais novel to start with? He's set his books in Los Angeles but his first book "The Monkey's Cage" doesn't do much for me.

I would note that Michael Connelly is an exceptio..."

I agree, The Monkey's Raincoat was OK, but then I liked L.A. Requiem (Elvis Cole #8) more and I really thought The Watchman was great. I wish that I had read this series in order! But I'm working my way through slowly. But you have to enjoy a major character who is a wiseass and not afraid to rough it up with people.

In February I read Crais' The Two Minute Rule, a stand alone novel and I really thought it was quite different from the Elvis Cole series and very good.

Just finished another Connelly book and have finished all that he has written that features defense attorney Mickey Haller. I've enjoyed them all.