Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our Nov/Dec 25 buddy read of Knots and Crosses as we embark on a buddy read of a 'new' series for us - the Inspector Rebus series by Ian Rankin The first book in the Inspector Rebus series was first published in 1987.

Once John Rebus was a Para, served in the elite SAS. Now he's an Edinburgh policeman who spends time evading his memories, missing promotion opportunities, and right now ignoring a series of crank letters. But as the murders go on happening right under his nose, Rebus cannot ignore the presence of a serial killer stalking the city streets any longer. He isn't the only detective working the case, but he is the only one with all the pieces to the puzzle and those letters keep on coming.

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

I have read this. Very much the first in a series I felt. Some odd language from Rebus, which wouldn't feel out of place in the Epstein files! I read that Rebus's odd comments about young girls is definitely tamped down in later books, but reminded me of the cringeworthy and unpleasant remarks Trump made about his daughter in early interviews. 'If she wasn't my daughter...'

Who is reading this one? It's on Kindle Unlimited in the UK if that tempts anyone. I've borrowed it but haven't started yet... story of my life this month.

The spoiler thread is linked below:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Are we doing a whole Rankin read? I'm up to about 7 or 8 so will likely pop into the discussions of the ones I've already read but super look forward to doing more with this group!

Gah, I got so excited I didn't read the opening paragraph! Yes we are doing this!

Susan wrote: "I have read this. Very much the first in a series I felt. Some odd language from Rebus, which wouldn't feel out of place in the Epstein files! I read that Rebus's odd comments about young girls is ..."

Yuck! I borrowed the e-book from my library, but first page turned me off, definitely not something I’m in the mood for right now. Knowing it gets creepier not encouraging! Maybe I’ll try book 2 when the group gets to it.

I have only read book 1, but I am happy to continue with the series. I like a flawed hero.

I am getting the vibe that some members are intending to jump into the Rebus series a few books in. I've done some looking into this series and I believe it is a series that really improves. In this first book, Rebus is quite unformed. He has some dodgy thoughts about young girls, like so many previous detectives (like Jackson Brodie) has a young daughter and is divorced, blaming his wife. I suspect he will grow and, with most readership being female, probably change.

I started this today and am racing through it. Interesting writing style. Very interesting characters. Maybe too many hints of a back story, but that could be because it is the first book.

I've read 10-12 of these before I bogged down. I don't think I've picked them back up since I moved. Maybe I don't know where the next one is. Since I got new flooring in August I really don't know where anything is.

But I'm contemplating getting this one on audible after I finish Joyce Vance's book, Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy.

It is very much a first book I think. Ian Rankin is unsure where he wants to go. So often the first book in a series puts people off but as Rebus has become such an established character, I am assuming he improves!

I loved it!

Encouraging, thanks Susan and Sandy. Good luck finding your stuff, Jan C - love home improvements, but they are discombobulating!

Good to hear, Sandy!