Undiscovered Scotland

 

John Rebus is an Edinburgh legend. Since he first appeared in print in 1987 he has introduced millions of readers around the world to the seamier side of the city, and many have visited it in the flesh as a result of a literary encounter with him. So vividly has author Ian Rankin brought his creation to life over 20 novels plus numerous short stories that in many readers' eyes Rebus has developed an existence of his own. The fact that John Rebus has aged in real time over the series of books caused real concern a few years back when he reached the police retirement age. Readers needn't have worried. He returned, first working as a civilian for the Serious Crime Review Unit and later re-employed at a lower rank as a detective sergeant. But all good things must come to an end...

"Even Dogs in the Wild" by Ian Rankin finds ex-Detective Inspector John Rebus trying to come to terms with real retirement, and it is no real surprise to find that a man with a detective's instincts to his very core isn't adapting to his new life well. Meanwhile DI Sioban Clarke is asked to investigate the murder of a senior lawyer in his home. At first this seems to be a robbery gone wrong, until a threatening note is found. Then someone takes a shot at local crime lord Big Ger Cafferty. In response to his refusal to discuss the matter with the police, his old adversary John Rebus is called in by them to try to uncover what is going on. Another threatening note shows that the attack on Cafferty is connected to the earlier murder, but neither he nor Rebus have any idea what the connection is. In a third strand, DI Malcolm Fox finds himself attached to an undercover police team tracking a group of Glasgow gangsters who have taken up residence in Edinburgh. As events escalate it seems that all the police can do is try to prevent open gang warfare on the streets of the capital, while at the same time attempting to find a murderer who is likely to strike again.

This is a beautifully crafted book that hooks you on page one and keeps you on a taught line right through to the very end. The distinct strands interweave perfectly and it is fascinating to see the author using his three central characters in such a compelling and accomplished way. The result is an outstanding novel that keeps the reader guessing right to the end. The best Rebus yet? We've said it before, but with each new book in the series Ian Rankin seems to surpass his previous high standards: so yes, this is the best Rebus yet.