Knots and Crosses

Inspector Rebus, Book 1

By: Ian Rankin

Narrated by: Michael Page

Detective John Rebus' city is being terrorized by a baffling series of murders…and he's tied to a maniac by an invisible knot of blood. As the ghoulish killings mount and the tabloid headlines scream, Rebus cannot stop the feverish shrieks from within his own mind. Because he isn't just one cop trying to catch a killer - he's the man who's got all the pieces to the puzzle…

©2013 Ian Rankin (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc

Boozy detective, tortured past...

I wanted to start this series at the beginning after seeing many fond references to Rebus in lists of the best mysteries and crime novels, and even references in other fiction in which a character is reading "the latest Rebus". I can see this is a promising start to a series, but as a reader I needed more sights and sounds and development of the story's "atmosphere". It may be awhile until I take up the next -- the angry, boozy detective with a tortured past genre is best in limited doses.

I will switch to the paperbacks in future as needed. The narration was distracting, though of course not everyone can be Simon Prebble (my favorite). Narration of the straight text and of Rebus' voice is fine, but the narrator seems to use only an impossibly (and implausibly) gravelly voice for the other male characters. A Scottish accent for a story that takes place in Edinburgh would also enhance the narration.

A Good Book but a little predictible

It starts out as in interesting story but soon becomes very suspicious. Cops don't get cryptic notes about pending cases and not get suspicious or involve the rest of their department. This part is really far fetched. Then as the story unravels it becomes rather obvious that this must be related to the unspoken problem with his military past. The rest is just a roller coaster ride to the end and the inevitable conclusion.

Dramatic and Predictable

Cliches abound in this predictable yet simultaneously unbelievable narrative but the one thing that did surprise me was the detective, a clueless moron who did absolutely zero police work throughout the whole book. The narrator has a great, theatrical voice however discerning the age of the characters was difficult because everyone sounds like a 60+ chain smoker. I was startled when at one point in the book the main character started describing a 40 year old woman as being old because up until that point I assumed the protagonist was well into his 60’s. I’m not sure what I just read.

Meeting Rebus, Properly

The first John Rebus book I enjoyed was Saints of the Shadow Bible (#19). I liked it so well I decided to try the series. It was interesting to see Rebus transform from being almost mechanical and disengaged to become a no-nonsense force of authority not to be toyed with. The book seemed a little slow at first, but kept gaining momentum. Now, I'm officially hooked!

The character of Rebus is a hoot!

The. Story itself was a little predictable and not very realistic. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Hard to appreciate a book with a poor narrator

The narration is so frustrating, I can't really follow the story. The narrators voices and accents are unpleasant. The story skips between different characters, but it took at least an hour to realise that was what was happening, as the narrator kept on reading in the same voice and tone. The story might be okay. I'll have to read it instead.

Ambivalence

This novel - the first Rebus - is definitely "of its time." The religion is heavy handed, something I don't remember noticing in the later Rebus mysteries I read more than a few years ago or the other more recent one I listened to. Recommended if you're a fan of Rebus, for completeness. The reader was good, with a heavy accent at times for different characters but always understood easily by this American ear. I gave him 4 stars for performance for his thoroughly creepy vibe. Less creepy would have rated higher.

Started slow and dragging

Hang in there and listen to the end. It is developed well by closing credits.

K&C

The character developement The climax seemed rushed at the ending without closure of. The story

I'm so glad I finally read this.

How have I failed to read this series before?? This was great. Interesting characters and a story that draws one in. Rebus is, like most people, flawed but good.

Michael Page is a great narrator until he has to do women's voices. That can use some work.

I'm thrilled this is just the first of the Rebus books. So much more to delve into.