The Inspector Rebus series
The Black Book is the 5th book in the Inspector Rebus series written by Ian Rankin and it lives up to the quality we expect from the books in this series.
I have been slowly making my way through the Inspector Rebus series in order, and I am thoroughly enjoying ... Read review
Advantages: Another great story involving a hotel fire and an unidentified body. Disadvantages: May have to read the previous books to get a good feel for the characters.
=== The Inspector Rebus series ===
The Black Book is the 5th book in the Inspector Rebus series written by Ian Rankin and it lives up to the quality we expect from the books in this series. I have been slowly making my way through the Inspector Rebus series in order, and I am thoroughly enjoying each book.
Ian Rankin's first Rebus novel, Knots & Crosses, was first published in 1987 and the Rebus books are now translated ... ...states. The series in set in Edinburgh, where Rankin lives, and he always manages to bring the city to life in his books, this one being no exception, and showing the reader the darker sides to the city that the tourists never see.
=== The Plot ===
In The Black Book a close friend and colleague of Rebus has been brutally attacked which is when Rebus discovers his colleague's notebook, which then see's him trying to ... more
The Inspector Rebus series
The Black Book is the 5th book in the Inspector Rebus series written by Ian Rankin and it lives up to the quality we expect from the books in this series. I have been slowly making my way through the Inspector Rebus series in order, and I am thoroughly enjoying each book.
Ian Rankin's first Rebus novel, Knots & Crosses, was first published in 1987 and the Rebus books are now translated into several languages and have grew in popularity in the states. The series in set in Edinburgh, where Rankin lives, and he always manages to bring the city to life in his books, this one being no exception, and showing the reader the darker sides to the city that the tourists never see.
The Plot
In The Black Book a close friend and colleague of Rebus has been brutally attacked which is when Rebus discovers his colleague's notebook, which then see's him trying to piece together the puzzle and solves a long forgotten case starting from a hotel fire and an unidentified body.
At first Rebus feels he will never get to the bottom of it, however when his brother is then also attacked, he becomes more determined than ever to get to the bottom of it before everyone around him gets hurt. He ends up in all corners of Edinburgh city, meeting well known criminals and getting involved in things which could very well threaten his life.
My Opinion
Yet again I am not disappointed by another book in this series. I am always drawn inmto the story quickly with Rankin's books and enjoy reading about Edinburgh, a place I love visiting myself quite often. I always connect well with Inspector Rebus and his colleagues from the police department which we grow to know and love through the course of the series. I like how these character's always return in each book, and you really feel as if you are getting to know them with each new book in the series.
This book see's Rebus being reunited with his brother, Michael, and we read as they re-build their relationship from what it once was. Meanwhile we also see Rebus struggle with his love life, which he has to put to one side whilst trying to solve this case.
The case itself which inolves the usual murder and mystery has me hooked. These books always manage to be above the 'usual and average' crime thriller and each book is obviously carefully planned out by Rankin. I can never guess what's going to happen in these books and it always comes together in the end, with unexpected results. Indeed when I've finished a book, I'm always keen to start reading the next book in the series!
There is always something happening in the book to keep you interested, and never a dull moment. It is mostly written from Rebus' point of view however there is the occasional moment where we pop into the mind of someone else, and Rankin manages to pull this off wonderfully.
You don't necessarily need to read these books in order, but I highly recommend doing so as you can follow the characters from the start, and grow to know and love Inspector Rebus as so many people have done.
Advantages: its a brilliant book Disadvantages: may want to have read the previous novel
So as the back of the book says - it all hppened because John Rebus was in his favourite Edinburgh massage parlour reading the bible. Random i know but i wont tell you why its relevent it'l spoil the story! In this book Rebus makes his usual trawl around the seedy side of Edinburgh - it can be a little depressing at times i know - but the gripping story - the destruction of Rebus' love life, the return of a ghost from Rebus' past, and the crazy activities ... ...who could resist! Its a great read - specialy if your into Rankins other books. 'Knots and Crosses' and 'Tooth and Nails' are better examples of Rebus stories - but if you like those you'l enjoy this - and if you've not read those two then read them aswell! It usually costs about £6.99 but you can probably find it for less if you search! Worth a read! ...
ilovebobsben 26.02.2004 (31.03.2004)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Black Book - Ian Rankin
Would you read it again?
Story
Characters
Readability
How does it compare to ...
How does it compare to ...
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "The Black Book - Ian Rankin"
Advantages: Continues the story of a well liked character Disadvantages: None
Black and Blue is one of the first books I read by IanRankin, and I'm so glad I did.
This book is a gritty novel of crime in Edinburgh, both in present day and back in the 1960's during Bible John's reign of terror.
Inspector John Rebus, the main character, is a throughly well-written character, with a depth and maturity that many authors will never achieve for one of their characters. He is the type of 'underdog' character that us Brits love, and despite his many faults, you will find yourself routing for him at every turn.
IanRankin as an author has a wonderful ability to completely immerse you in his stories, and this one in particular brings alive an old crime story and gives it a whole new lease of life.
If you enjoy crime thrillers, you will enjoy any one of Rankin's books. ...
Advantages: Full of information and practical advice Disadvantages: Not all information is updated in new editions
was a publication I would otherwise have been unaware of, and it published a particularly comprehensive review. We were able to quote comments from both these reviews on our own website as well as within our listing on Amazon, which I am sure has helped considerably in marketing our DVD.
I do wonder whether perhaps it would make more sense to publish two separate books, one for writers and one for artists, each one of course then being cheaper and lighter to handle. Nevertheless, there is a wealth of information here for any one aspiring to publish their work.
The book contains 832 pages and is priced at £13.99, published by A & C Black
The 2007 edition, with a foreword by IanRankin, is already available on Amazon at the price of £9.89. ...
Advantages: Belter of a detective novel Disadvantages: Not a thing
~ ~ One of the reviews I wrote on my very first day here at Ciao back in December 2000 was about an Inspector Rebus novel (Dead Souls) by the celebrated Scots crime author IanRankin.
I?d read a couple of his novels at that stage and enjoyed them, and had every intention of going on to read the rest of the Inspector Rebus series, which now consists of some fifteen books.
But somehow the intention never became a reality, and it was to be three more years before I again cracked the pages of a Rankin novel, when I picked up an omnibus edition of three Rebus novels in my local bookstore for the absolute bargain price of only ?12.99. Called ?Rebus: The St. Leonard Years?, it contains three complete books; ?Strip Jack?, (which I?m going to review here) ?The BlackBook?, and ?Mortal Causes?.
~ ~ A wee introduction to the author before I ...
Product Information for "The Black Book - Ian Rankin" »
Product details
Author
Ian Rankin
Title
The Black Book
Genre
Crime
Type
Fiction
ISBN
0752877240; 1857970802
Manufacturer's product description
When a close colleague is brutally attacked, Inspector John Rebus is drawn into a case involving a hotel fire, an unidentified body, and a long forgotten night of terror and murder. Pursued by dangerous ghosts and tormented by the coded secrets of his colleague's notebook, Rebus must piece together the most complex and confusing of jigsaws. But not everyone wants the puzzle solved - perhaps not even Rebus himself ... See all Product Description
Compare The Black Book - Ian Rankin to other similar Crime Books »
Similar products and search queries by other users »
The Rankin, The Black Rankin, The Book Rankin, The Ian Rankin, The Black Book Rankin, The Black Ian Rankin, The Book Ian Rankin, The Black Book Ian Rankin
Are you the manufacturer / provider of The Black Book - Ian Rankin? Click here
