Series
Publication
London : Orion (2006), Edition: 1St Edition
Original publication date
2006
Collections
Genres
Subjects
Awards
British Book Award (Winner — 2007)
Spinetingler Award (Nominee — 2008)
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Suspense. HTML: The leaders of the free world descend on Scotland for an international conference, and every cop in the country is needed for front-line duty...except one. John Rebus's reputation precedes him, and his bosses don't want him anywhere near Presidents Bush and Putin, which explains why he's manning an abandoned police station when a call comes in. During a preconference dinner at Edinburgh Castle, a delegate has fallen to his death. Accident, suicide, or something altogether more sinister? And is it linked to a grisly find close to the site of the gathering? Are the world's most powerful men at risk from a killer? While the government and secret services attempt to hush the whole thing up, Rebus knows he has only seventy-two hours to find the answers..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member GeorgeBowling
This is Rankin at his best.
It is set during two weeks in July 2005, when Edinburgh was dirupted by the holding of a G8 conference in nearby Gleneagles: not so much the conference itself but the protests mounted by everyone from Bono and Bianca Jagger, through the Lord Provest of Edinburgh, to a
Amid the turmoil, troubled semi-alcoholic Inspetor Rebus, and bewildered protegé Siophan Clarke struggle to do what they does best (which is not all that well) the combatting of mean and grisly crime. The fact that all around him, including -especially - his senior colleagues seem more concerned with buttering up the posers that be, only makes Rebus the more determined to step on as many toes as is required. When Rebus' nemisis - or evil twin - ganglord Ger Cafferty seems to be the only person giving any support, Rebus merely shrugs. He lost all illusions many years ago.
This being a whodunnit, I dare not give away any details of the plot. Suffice it to say it is well crafted and utterly convincing. (Not all Rankin's other books are, by the way.)
And his love affair with Edinburgh continues. The city comes across as a breathing entity, not just a large cluster of buildings.
It is set during two weeks in July 2005, when Edinburgh was dirupted by the holding of a G8 conference in nearby Gleneagles: not so much the conference itself but the protests mounted by everyone from Bono and Bianca Jagger, through the Lord Provest of Edinburgh, to a
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motley band of anarchists.Amid the turmoil, troubled semi-alcoholic Inspetor Rebus, and bewildered protegé Siophan Clarke struggle to do what they does best (which is not all that well) the combatting of mean and grisly crime. The fact that all around him, including -especially - his senior colleagues seem more concerned with buttering up the posers that be, only makes Rebus the more determined to step on as many toes as is required. When Rebus' nemisis - or evil twin - ganglord Ger Cafferty seems to be the only person giving any support, Rebus merely shrugs. He lost all illusions many years ago.
This being a whodunnit, I dare not give away any details of the plot. Suffice it to say it is well crafted and utterly convincing. (Not all Rankin's other books are, by the way.)
And his love affair with Edinburgh continues. The city comes across as a breathing entity, not just a large cluster of buildings.
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LibraryThing member essexgirl
Siobhan is such a great character. If Rebus retires in the next book I am hoping she will carry on. Her relationship with her parents is brilliantly portrayed: parents not understanding her career choice at all. Rebus, despite all, seemed a tad more relaxed? Or is this because Siobhan is the
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character in this novel who has to face the fact she may want to cut a deal with the devil after all? Glad I read this one just as the next one is due. Show Less
LibraryThing member Romonko
I absolutely enjoyed this book! Rebus is one of my favourite fictional characters and every book in this series is wonderful. Rebus and his sidekick Siobhan are working together on what appears to be a serial murder case. This is all happening in and around the 2005 G8 summit which was held in
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Scotland. There are lots of dignitaries and hangers-on all over the Scottish countryside for this week in July which provides Rebus and Siobhan with an unlimited number of suspects. What is most enjoyable about this book is how we see that Siobhan is getting more and more like her mentor. Rebus is within a year of retirement, but that doesn't stop him from doggedly following leads even after he is threatened and bullied by his superiors and other bigwig political and security people. And in this book, Siobhan is right there with him causing all kinds of trouble on her own while she seeks a serial killer. The best part about these books is the realism of the characters and the complex relationship that Rebus and Siobhan have. This book is fast-paced and a wonderful mix of politics, intrigue and a cracking mystery. This series always stays fresh and interesting, leaving me looking forward to the next book in the series.. Hopefully, Ian Rankin doesn't end this series anytime soon. Rebus is a brilliant creation, and I have to keep reminding myself that he is fictional and not real. Show Less
LibraryThing member poulantik
I have read nearly all of Rankins' and he is getting better and better.
LibraryThing member ebethe
Rebus is always good, like pizza, but this time not as great.
LibraryThing member thorold
This novel has DI John Rebus and DS Siobhan Clarke investigating the murders of three recently-released convicts against the background of the G8 summit held at Gleneagles in July 2005. As usual, there are several apparently unrelated plot threads: Siobhan's parents are in Edinburgh to take part in
The detctive story, well-constructed as always, does seem to be something of a sideline here. The book is really a scathing attack on the futility of the whole G8 circus: politicians, police and protesters all come out of this equally badly. Seen from Rebus's viewpoint, any political decisions "taken" at the summit were precooked; a huge amount of money is wasted (one character comments how much AIDS vaccine could have been bought for the 150 million it cost to stage and protect the meeting); well-intentioned people like Siobhan's parents are exploited by professional agitators and undercover secret police all pursuing their own agendas that have nothing to do with relieving world poverty; police officers at the bottom end of the ladder cash in on overtime and enjoy bashing a few lefties; senior officers use "security" as a pretext for ignoring civil liberties and the rule of law, while cashing in themselves from their relationships with nebulous "defence contractors".
In the middle of all this, Rankin makes Rebus and Clarke look like the only two sane people left in Scotland, as they doggedly carry on with their investigation in spite of everything. Of course, if Rebus stopped work every time he was suspended from duty, Rankin would be out of a job too...
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the protests; an MP falls to his death from the ramparts of Edinburgh castle; Big Ger Cafferty is involved in a power struggle with a councillor and evangelical preacher called Tench.The detctive story, well-constructed as always, does seem to be something of a sideline here. The book is really a scathing attack on the futility of the whole G8 circus: politicians, police and protesters all come out of this equally badly. Seen from Rebus's viewpoint, any political decisions "taken" at the summit were precooked; a huge amount of money is wasted (one character comments how much AIDS vaccine could have been bought for the 150 million it cost to stage and protect the meeting); well-intentioned people like Siobhan's parents are exploited by professional agitators and undercover secret police all pursuing their own agendas that have nothing to do with relieving world poverty; police officers at the bottom end of the ladder cash in on overtime and enjoy bashing a few lefties; senior officers use "security" as a pretext for ignoring civil liberties and the rule of law, while cashing in themselves from their relationships with nebulous "defence contractors".
In the middle of all this, Rankin makes Rebus and Clarke look like the only two sane people left in Scotland, as they doggedly carry on with their investigation in spite of everything. Of course, if Rebus stopped work every time he was suspended from duty, Rankin would be out of a job too...
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LibraryThing member Heptonj
An excellent novel about the unconventional detective Rebus. The plot nicely unravels but keeps you guessing. Inspector Rebus is one of those 'politically incorrect' people who confronts those who are 'untouchable'.
LibraryThing member jmcclain19
My first Rankin novel. It was slow going early on, in fact I abandoned it twice to go to other books. But I am glad that I went back to it. The novel picked up after about 100 pages and roared to the finish. DS Siobhan Clarke is a fascinating character, dealing with the internal angst of being a
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cop with parents who are protestors to the core. Meanwhile DI Rebus at times can be a bit of a caricature - the old 'me against the world non conformist' detective stereotype. That being said, the base story was excellent - Who really cares if someone is out murdering rapists & killers? DI Rebus does, and it doesn't matter what hoops he has to jump thru, or roadblocks he has to drive thru to catch the serial killer. The eventual serial killer was a nice unexpected twist and using the backdrop of the G8 Summit in Edinburgh was an interesting look at the microcosm of how off kilter that whole affair is for all involved (protestors, G8 participants & area residents). Was a good transition series to go to after finishing up the Harry Bosch Michael Connelly series. Show Less
LibraryThing member the.ken.petersen
I have been trying to work out why Rebus' foibles are so much less irritating than those of so many of his contemporaries. The only solution to which I have been able to come is, good writing.
In this tale, set around the G8 summit in Edinburgh, Rebus and Siobhan get themselves suspended whilst
Morris Gerald Cafferty raises his head, and tries to snare Siobhan, gets his wrist slapped and crawls back under a rock ready for the next time.
Five hundred pages of sheer enjoyment.
In this tale, set around the G8 summit in Edinburgh, Rebus and Siobhan get themselves suspended whilst
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investigating the deaths of three, recently released, violent criminals and a Member of the Scottish Parliament. Rebus, inevitably, ruffles the feathers of the man in charge of security for the VIPs attending the conference, before realizing the crime's modus operandus. Morris Gerald Cafferty raises his head, and tries to snare Siobhan, gets his wrist slapped and crawls back under a rock ready for the next time.
Five hundred pages of sheer enjoyment.
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LibraryThing member sibley40
Avery good mystery with a great and complicated protagonist.
LibraryThing member maiamaia
H'm, I read detective novels as Rankin calls them for a good quick read when I don't want to get bogged down in a long book, so rating depends on plot efficiency etc. not believable emotional scenes. Has some great 'ideas' or 'conceits' or 'gimmicks' such as using Edinburgh during the G8 and
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reminding you of all the stuff that was forgotten because of the London bombings that followed, a good metaphor for the effects of a violent end, and the 'Clootie Well', and plenty of plot, BUT for some reason this perfectly accomplished novel fails to add plot developments at regular intervals - it builds up for a few chapters and then Rebus and Shiv bomb around all over the place but do nothing, and the clues don't lead on...I'm sure it'll be beautifully tied together at the end (about 50 pages to go, will change this review if change mind) but it's the opposite of a good Holmes with its unfolding clues: it's a perfectly adequate crime read, but that is annoying. A book like this takes me a day to read, if you're more likely to take a week, don't read it as you'll get frustrated, but it's not terrible. Show Less
LibraryThing member riverwillow
Fantastic, and very moving. As the backdrop to his story Rankin has captured the madness and pain of that week in July and it is the perfect setting for the complex and intertwined cases that occupy Rebus.
LibraryThing member fourbears
Rankin is probably my favorite mystery writer. I've read all of his John Rebus novels and this is number 17 or 18. (Most series bore me before the end.) Rebus is a contemporary hard boiled detective—these days they are police, not PIs but he's suitably anti-establishment none the less. He drinks
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too much and smokes too much, has alienated his family, has few friends, lives for his job, takes every chance that presents itself and is, as a result, almost always insubordinate. So he doesn't advance in the force even though he solves all his cases, often brilliantly. In addition, Rankin is a fun writer, connecting Rebus to contemporary Edinburgh and Scotland and to current events. He, like Rebus, loves music and the references are always funny and appropriate. This one takes place during the G8 conference in Scotland amidst gargantuan security involving almost all the police forces of the UK. Rebus and Siobhan, his best best friend on the force, are investigating what looks like a serial murder with clues from 3 different murders found at a tourist attraction near Gleneagles where the conference is being held. A member of Parliament jumps or is pushed off the walls of Edinburgh castle during a high profile dinner and Special Branch blocks Rebus from investigating. Siobhan's parents, aging hippies who are almost ashamed that their daughter is a police sergeant, come up from London to join the demonstrations--and her mother is hit over the head in a riot, possibly by police. A demonstrator who befriends Siobhan's parents at the campsite turns out to be an undercover cop and the sister of the MP whose death is considered suicide. A local politician is challenging Rebus' nemesis, gangster Cafferty, and ends up dead. And despite the fact that Rebus and Siobhan are told not to investigate till the G8 is over and then are suspended for not obeying, they put it all together, though the murderer, on the train back to London on the morning of July 7th, disappears completely and may or may not have been a victim in the London subway bombings. I suspect Rankin will take that up in his next novel, which I hear is the last, Rebus being already 30 years a cop and eligible for retirement (one way or another). And I almost forgot: Rebus and Siobhan see George Bush fall off his mountain bike and note the band-aids on his fingers when he appears in public. Nice touch.Book # 38 RestorationAUTHOR: Rose TremainDATE OF PUB.: 1989GENRE: FictionMONTH READ: JulyRATING: (8/10)Pages: 384Comments: A young man, son of the king's glove maker and trained as a physician, gets a post at court and becomes completely enamoured of the life of the times (self indulgence, luxury, profligacy—it's interesting that in an interview Tremain said she had fundamental objections to the ethos of Thatcher's Britain but didn't want to confront it directly so picked another period with similar values). Because he actually touched a human heart (in a man who, after an accident, had a hole in his chest that didn't heal—Tremain took that from a real incident) and found that it felt nothing, the King decided Merviel—that's his name—would be immune to real love and marries him to one of his mistresses. Gives him an estate and riches. Of course Merivel promptly falls in love with the forbidden wife and is banished, taking refuge in an insane asylum (a New Bedlam) run by a Quaker physician with whom he want to school. Merivel narrates the story and he's intelligent, sensitive, and basically honest about his own flaws. He made me laugh. Tremain’s primary accomplishment in this novel is Merivel’s voice which she handles beautifully.Because Merivel is not a Quaker and because he can think for himself he has some new ideas about treating the insane, namely that one should look at what lead up to madness, as one looks at the symptoms of physical disease. Tremain has been accused of anachronism in making Merivel has somewhat modern ideas about insanity, but I have always thought that new ideas have been “brewing:” for a long time in many different people before finally find a time and a place and a spokesperson for them. It’s not inconceivable to me that there was a Merivel in the 18th century.I think Tremain is a novelist whose other work I’ll investigate. She seems to tackle a wide variety of projects and to try new fictional experiences. I also like her sense of history in this novel. She’s obviously researched the period very carefully and rendered its ethos expertly, but like all really good fiction it’s written for her own contemporaries and addresses contemporary concerns. Show Less
LibraryThing member nbmars
The main “character” of this Inspector Rebus mystery is actually the G8 Summit, which took place in Edinburgh at the Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland in July of 2005. [The G8 (Group of Eight) is a forum for the heads of the richest industrialized countries: France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan,
The G8 meetings present thorny challenges for police, faced with the threat of terrorists as well as the inevitable groups of protestors who are now a routine part of global summits. For the 2005 conference, Scotland put together a security plan known as Operation Sorbus, named after the berry of the rowan tree, which according to folklore wards off evil spirits. There were 10,000 police on standby; watchtowers; an exclusion zone; a no-fly zone; surveillance cameras; horse and dog units; and even an airship to spot troublemakers and beam back video footage to officers on the ground.
In this book, the 17th novel in the popular Inspector Rebus series, Detective Inspector John Rebus, a known troublemaker, has been assigned to stay back at the police station, “manning the ship.” He manages to get over to the Summit area anyway after an apparent suicide of a preconference dinner attendee, a young politician who plunged from the walls of Edinburgh Castle. Furthermore, his colleague, Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke, has found some clues near the G8 Summit grounds relating to a serial killer case on which they are working.
Both the London and Scotland police chief try to keep Rebus and Clarke from interfering with the G8 proceedings, but the two detectives are determined to work on behalf of the victims of the crimes they are investigating. They liken their quest to that of the G8 protestors who climb to the top of Edinburgh's Calton Hill to commemorate the lives lost during the Iraq conflict in a ceremony called "Naming the Dead."
Rebus knew that, being so close to retirement, he could late these cases go:
"Nobody’d blame you for coasting…
Nobody but the dead.”
But he has spent his life dedicated to the dead, at the cost of the living:
"Rebus thought of how he had let his own family drift away from him, first his wife and daughter, and then his brother. Pushing them away because the job seemed to demand it, demanded his unconditional attention. No room for anyone else . . . Too late now to do anything about it.”
Siobhan too, has her doubts. She says to Rebus:
"People die, and we look back into their lives . . . and we can’t change anything. . . . It’s not enough, is it? . . . Just…symbolic…because there’s nothing else you can do.”
‘What are you talking about?’ he asked with a smile.
‘The naming of the dead,’ she told him….”
The detectives engage in some creative subterfuge to get onto the G8 grounds to investigate the murders. They eventually resolve the crimes, but don't seem to make any progress at all in curing their angst.
Discussion: In this penultimate book in the Rebus series, the inspector is almost sixty, and he is, as Siobhan notes, “obsessed and sidelined; cranky and mistrusted.” Plus he drinks from morning until bedtime, when he basically passes out in a drunken stupor. Incredibly, all the alcohol doesn’t seem to affect his performance much.
He continues to flout the rules, to talk back to superiors, consort with criminals, lie, and do whatever else it takes to solve crimes, which he continues to do brilliantly enough to allow him to get away with all the rest of his behavior.
He works mainly with Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke, who clearly looks up to Rebus even as she fears that she may end up too much like him. Her presence provides a welcome foil to Rebus, whose surly demeanor and constant drinking can get irritating, even as it seems much more realistic than so many dashing, close-to-perfect detectives.
This is not the usual detective series. The plots are complex, and the characters spend a lot of time in pubs. Rebus continues to look for redemption, and yet it seems as if everything he does points him in the other direction.
Evaluation: Recommended for fans of the Inspector Rebus series.
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the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. In addition, the President of the European Commission has been formally included in summits since 1981.]The G8 meetings present thorny challenges for police, faced with the threat of terrorists as well as the inevitable groups of protestors who are now a routine part of global summits. For the 2005 conference, Scotland put together a security plan known as Operation Sorbus, named after the berry of the rowan tree, which according to folklore wards off evil spirits. There were 10,000 police on standby; watchtowers; an exclusion zone; a no-fly zone; surveillance cameras; horse and dog units; and even an airship to spot troublemakers and beam back video footage to officers on the ground.
In this book, the 17th novel in the popular Inspector Rebus series, Detective Inspector John Rebus, a known troublemaker, has been assigned to stay back at the police station, “manning the ship.” He manages to get over to the Summit area anyway after an apparent suicide of a preconference dinner attendee, a young politician who plunged from the walls of Edinburgh Castle. Furthermore, his colleague, Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke, has found some clues near the G8 Summit grounds relating to a serial killer case on which they are working.
Both the London and Scotland police chief try to keep Rebus and Clarke from interfering with the G8 proceedings, but the two detectives are determined to work on behalf of the victims of the crimes they are investigating. They liken their quest to that of the G8 protestors who climb to the top of Edinburgh's Calton Hill to commemorate the lives lost during the Iraq conflict in a ceremony called "Naming the Dead."
Rebus knew that, being so close to retirement, he could late these cases go:
"Nobody’d blame you for coasting…
Nobody but the dead.”
But he has spent his life dedicated to the dead, at the cost of the living:
"Rebus thought of how he had let his own family drift away from him, first his wife and daughter, and then his brother. Pushing them away because the job seemed to demand it, demanded his unconditional attention. No room for anyone else . . . Too late now to do anything about it.”
Siobhan too, has her doubts. She says to Rebus:
"People die, and we look back into their lives . . . and we can’t change anything. . . . It’s not enough, is it? . . . Just…symbolic…because there’s nothing else you can do.”
‘What are you talking about?’ he asked with a smile.
‘The naming of the dead,’ she told him….”
The detectives engage in some creative subterfuge to get onto the G8 grounds to investigate the murders. They eventually resolve the crimes, but don't seem to make any progress at all in curing their angst.
Discussion: In this penultimate book in the Rebus series, the inspector is almost sixty, and he is, as Siobhan notes, “obsessed and sidelined; cranky and mistrusted.” Plus he drinks from morning until bedtime, when he basically passes out in a drunken stupor. Incredibly, all the alcohol doesn’t seem to affect his performance much.
He continues to flout the rules, to talk back to superiors, consort with criminals, lie, and do whatever else it takes to solve crimes, which he continues to do brilliantly enough to allow him to get away with all the rest of his behavior.
He works mainly with Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke, who clearly looks up to Rebus even as she fears that she may end up too much like him. Her presence provides a welcome foil to Rebus, whose surly demeanor and constant drinking can get irritating, even as it seems much more realistic than so many dashing, close-to-perfect detectives.
This is not the usual detective series. The plots are complex, and the characters spend a lot of time in pubs. Rebus continues to look for redemption, and yet it seems as if everything he does points him in the other direction.
Evaluation: Recommended for fans of the Inspector Rebus series.
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LibraryThing member loveseabooks
Kept my interest with no boring plot.
Mmy neighbor gave this book to read. Unfortunately, he forgot to tell me that this book was part of a series and that it was best that I read the earlier novels by Ian Rankin. Still, I struggled through "The Naming of the Dead" and finished it six days later.
The author's writing is style flows easily and he has a knack for describing in detail the scenes, police procedures, crime scenes and the traits of the characters. Overall, in my opinion this is a wonderful mystery novel, even though it is clouded by coming in late to the series. I'll definitely try another novel by Mr. Rankin that revolves around the Rebus character.
Mmy neighbor gave this book to read. Unfortunately, he forgot to tell me that this book was part of a series and that it was best that I read the earlier novels by Ian Rankin. Still, I struggled through "The Naming of the Dead" and finished it six days later.
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If you are a fan of this author and have read the series you probably are thrilled with the character Detective Inspector John Rebus, but coming in cold with this character I found myself trying to comprehend exactly who he was. One thing, I never found him to be boring and the plot kept my interest. I was hoping for an exciting mystery to unfold and by mid point in the story it did.The author's writing is style flows easily and he has a knack for describing in detail the scenes, police procedures, crime scenes and the traits of the characters. Overall, in my opinion this is a wonderful mystery novel, even though it is clouded by coming in late to the series. I'll definitely try another novel by Mr. Rankin that revolves around the Rebus character.
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LibraryThing member kambrogi
This book is essentially well-written within the constraints of its genre (crime fiction), so once I started I had to finish (an annoying obsession of mine). Feelings are mixed. It takes place in Scotland, written by a Scot writer, and so is filled with a lot of unfamiliar language: Scottishisms,
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Britishisms and policeisms that I could not understand. The plot was broad and the compelling characters few, but overall it was an interesting story with a nod toward something thoughtful with its setting wrapped around the G8 conference in Edinburgh and the London bombings that followed it. It also has a nice ongoing use of rock music allusions that was well-integrated. Not a bad read, but forgettable. Show Less
LibraryThing member -Eva-
With the 2005 G8 summit as background, Rebus is again going head-to-head with his arch-nemesis, "Big Ger" Cafferty. For those of us who weren't there, this installment of the series presents a very illustrative picture of the protesters, the marches, and the rest of the circus surrounding the
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summit. I must admit to laughing a little extra at Rebus' apparent involvement in Dubya's infamous crash. And then I'll just add what I say about every book in this series: Rankin is a genius when it comes to characters and dialogue and I can't stop myself from rereading certain bits out loud, just to revel in the sometimes hilarious writing. Show Less
LibraryThing member reader68
One of his better Detective Inspector John Rebus murder mysteries. Takes place during a gathering of world leaders at Gleneagles. Seemingly a serial killer is on the loose. Excellent.Published in UK 2006.
LibraryThing member stuart10er
Set in 2005 during the G8 meetings in Scotland and right before the London bombings of July 7th. Murders abound surrounding the politicians at the event. Loved it.
LibraryThing member BillPilgrim
Inspector Rebus novel.
Takes place in lead up, during and after a G8 conference in Edinburgh. Evidence relating to a recent murder in found at a site near the conference. Evidence of other murders is also found there, indicating a serial killer. Then, at a dinner of international big-wigs just
I liked the book in part because it focuses on the protests that take place in conjunction with the G8. Rebus's partner, Siobhan's parents are there to take part in the protests. Also, there are a lot of music references.
This is the first Inspector Rebus novel for me. I watched the BBC adaptation of earlier stories in the series, starring John Hannah, which were very good.
Takes place in lead up, during and after a G8 conference in Edinburgh. Evidence relating to a recent murder in found at a site near the conference. Evidence of other murders is also found there, indicating a serial killer. Then, at a dinner of international big-wigs just
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before the conference starts, a man falls from over the wall and dies. Is a suicide or was he pushed? Rebus tries to sort it all out.I liked the book in part because it focuses on the protests that take place in conjunction with the G8. Rebus's partner, Siobhan's parents are there to take part in the protests. Also, there are a lot of music references.
This is the first Inspector Rebus novel for me. I watched the BBC adaptation of earlier stories in the series, starring John Hannah, which were very good.
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LibraryThing member SamSattler
Otherwise known as Rebus #16, "The Naming of the Dead" is a solid addition to the saga of Ian Rankin's most famous character, Scottish police detective John Rebus.
This one covers the period of the terrorist bombing of the London metro system as well as the chaotic G8 conference that was being held
It is obvious that the handwriting is on the wall regarding the detective's retirement plans...whether he pulls the plug himself or is forced out of the department.
This one covers the period of the terrorist bombing of the London metro system as well as the chaotic G8 conference that was being held
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in Edinburgh at the same time.It is obvious that the handwriting is on the wall regarding the detective's retirement plans...whether he pulls the plug himself or is forced out of the department.
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LibraryThing member verveine
Rebus is almost retired but still as rude and brilliant as ever. Really good and exciting book, I'm sad to see Rebus leave the stage sometime soon...
LibraryThing member gmmartz
The Naming of the Dead is another competent mystery in the Rebus series by author Ian Rankin. In it, Rebus and his counterpart Siobhan investigate a series of murders around Edinburgh during the period surrounding the G8 summit. As usual, Rebus isn't one for following rules, direct orders, or much
Rankin's a top-notch writer and, although the novel drags a bit and not much progress seems to be made through much of it, holds our attention and closes it out in a satisfying, but a bit complicated, conclusion.
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of anything else in his search to understand the connection between the victims and to identify the murderer(s). The circus that seems to accompany the summit complicates matters, as does Rebus' and Siobhan's relationship with an underworld figure who may or may not be involved. Rankin's a top-notch writer and, although the novel drags a bit and not much progress seems to be made through much of it, holds our attention and closes it out in a satisfying, but a bit complicated, conclusion.
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LibraryThing member gypsysmom
Well, this Rebus book, although good, didn't grab me quite as much as previous ones I have read. Having thought about it for a day I think it is because there were no references to music that I really connected with. There was music but most of it was by bands that I didn't recognize or, if I did,
The action in this book takes place in July of 2005 while the G8 summit was taking place in Scotland and some home grown terrorists were bombing subways and a bus in London. Almost every police officer in the British Isles was involved in providing security for the G8 except for Rebus but he happened to still be at work when an MP fell (or was pushed) to his death from Edinburgh Castle. So he grabbed the case despite a senior official from London interfering. Meanwhile, Siobhan was involved in the G8 security set-up and she happened to stop at an odd little place called Clootie Well near the castle where the G8 summit was to take place. Clootie means clothes and the trees about this place were festooned with scraps of cloth. Siobhan recognizes one of scraps as coming from the clothes of a recent murder victim. She calls Rebus and he comes to take a look. They agree there must be a connection with their case and call in the SOCO's to take evidence. The same London official who was in Edinburgh for the MP's death shows up at this crime scene, concerned that it will impact on the G8. Rebus and Siobhan are told to pursue the case quietly until the summit actually starts and then put it on ice. Knowing Rebus as we do, we know he will not follow direction and this time both he and Siobhan are put on suspension. Meanwhile, Siobhan's parents arrive in Edinburgh to take part in the anti-summit protests. Siobhan goes to their tent to see them but is viewed with suspicion and has her car vandalized. The local councillor, Tench, comes to her rescue but seems to be suspiciously close to one of the local hoodlums. When this hoodlum conks Siobhan's mother on the head and sends her to hospital Siobhan is out for blood.
Rankin is great at giving local colour to recent events. I remember this week quite well although I was more impacted by the bombings than the G8. I'll never be able to listen to a report about the G8 again without visualizing George Bush falling off his bicycle and doing a face plant in the dirt. I guess we won't have him to kick around for much longer though.
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I never got into their music. Where is Van Morrison? or John Coltrane? Oh well, Rebus has varied and eclectic musical tastes and I guess he wasn't in the mood for my favourites.The action in this book takes place in July of 2005 while the G8 summit was taking place in Scotland and some home grown terrorists were bombing subways and a bus in London. Almost every police officer in the British Isles was involved in providing security for the G8 except for Rebus but he happened to still be at work when an MP fell (or was pushed) to his death from Edinburgh Castle. So he grabbed the case despite a senior official from London interfering. Meanwhile, Siobhan was involved in the G8 security set-up and she happened to stop at an odd little place called Clootie Well near the castle where the G8 summit was to take place. Clootie means clothes and the trees about this place were festooned with scraps of cloth. Siobhan recognizes one of scraps as coming from the clothes of a recent murder victim. She calls Rebus and he comes to take a look. They agree there must be a connection with their case and call in the SOCO's to take evidence. The same London official who was in Edinburgh for the MP's death shows up at this crime scene, concerned that it will impact on the G8. Rebus and Siobhan are told to pursue the case quietly until the summit actually starts and then put it on ice. Knowing Rebus as we do, we know he will not follow direction and this time both he and Siobhan are put on suspension. Meanwhile, Siobhan's parents arrive in Edinburgh to take part in the anti-summit protests. Siobhan goes to their tent to see them but is viewed with suspicion and has her car vandalized. The local councillor, Tench, comes to her rescue but seems to be suspiciously close to one of the local hoodlums. When this hoodlum conks Siobhan's mother on the head and sends her to hospital Siobhan is out for blood.
Rankin is great at giving local colour to recent events. I remember this week quite well although I was more impacted by the bombings than the G8. I'll never be able to listen to a report about the G8 again without visualizing George Bush falling off his bicycle and doing a face plant in the dirt. I guess we won't have him to kick around for much longer though.
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LibraryThing member DrLed
Synopsis: There is a governmental dinner at Edinburgh Castle and a delegate falls - or is pushed - off the ramparts to his death. A paroled rapist is murdered. Siobhan's parents are in town for a protest. All of these incidences come together to complicate Rebus's life and confuse his crime solving
Review: Interesting look at life in Edinburgh during the riots and protests of the 1970s.
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abilities.Review: Interesting look at life in Edinburgh during the riots and protests of the 1970s.
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Media reviews
A book with many plot elements can risk becoming amorphous and overcomplicated. But Rankin does not get lost that way. In his backhanded, reluctant way Rebus winds up uniting all the book's loose ends, and seeing how he accomplishes this is a pleasure. Besides, "The Naming of the Dead" isn't really
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about its detective plot. It's about Rebus's taking stock, not only of his own past but also of the world around him. Show Less
That's a lot of plot (nor is it all of it), but the strength of the novel lies in the way that Rankin weds it to his exploration of character: we get more insight into Clarke as she struggles with her relationship with her academic parents. Throughout, Rebus is brooding on his age and increasing
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isolation, thinking about the unexpected death of his brother and the way he has messed up with the rest of his family. Show Less
It's page-turning, complicated crime, with some fine vignettes containing the only convincing pathos in the book. It feels as if written on the hoof by someone running round with a microphone, collecting soundbites of humour, fury and moral angst - like Dickens on speed, highly enjoyable, but
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ultimately breathless. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
0752868586 / 9780752868585
Physical description
7.95 inches