Standing in Another Man's Grave

By: Ian Rankin

Narrated by: James Macpherson

In book 20 of the series, John Rebus returns to investigate the disappearances of three women from the same road over 10 years.

For the last decade, Nina Hazlitt has been ready to hear the worst about her daughter's disappearance. But with no sightings, no body, and no suspect, the police investigation ground to a halt long ago, and Nina's pleas to the cold case department have led her nowhere.

Until she meets the newest member of the team: former Detective John Rebus.

Rebus has never shied away from lost causes - one of the many ways he managed to antagonize his bosses when he was on the force. Now he's back as a retired civilian, reviewing abandoned files. Necessary work, but it's not exactly scratching the itch he feels to be in the heart of the action.

Two more women have gone missing from the same road where Sally Hazlitt was last seen. Unlike his skeptical colleagues, Rebus can sense a connection - but pursuing it leads him into the crosshairs of adversaries both old and new.

Rebus may have missed the thrill of the hunt, but he's up against a powerful enemy who's got even less to lose.

On the 20th anniversary of Ian Rankin's first American publication comes an audiobook bursting with the vitality and suspense that made its author one of crime fiction's most dazzling stars. Standing in Another Man's Grave is the triumphant return of John Rebus, and a riveting story of sin, redemption, and revenge.

©2013 Ian Rankin (P)2012 Hachette

OK but not great

I had a hard time at first with the accent but that is definitely my fault. The storyline was okay, it did drag on a little. Not sure that I would recommend it to anyone but it wasn't a horrible book.

Another strong Ian Rankin

Good characters, believable plot, solid writing. Narration good. Really like the novel.
Ian Rankin is always worth reading.

Return to solid form

A very solid "Rebus" story, confirming Ian Rankin very much back to form after the somewhat disappointing Malcolm Fox books. A well constructed plot, with some interesting new villains emerging - seeds for future stories? - and two well-past-their prime main characters including of course Rebus himself. He's the scruffy character steeped in IPA and cigarettes, in his element in the thick bluish smoke haze of bar rooms in old British pubs. James Macpherson's narration is superb, although some may find the Scottish brogue a little thick - I thought it was 5 stars.

Accent No Problem

I have to admit that I'm only a few hours into the book, so my review may be updated if the book changes dramatically. So far it is fine. I'm headed to Scotland in a couple of weeks, and I wanted to prepare myself with a few hours listening to the accent and perhaps getting a whiff of Scottish culture thorough an easy listen. I was a bit concerned given the reviews that suggest the accent of the reader is difficult to understand. It seems quite clear to me - try listening to the dialogue of the movie, "Trainspotting" if you want a real challenge! I can't guarantee you'll love the story, but I wouldn't worry about understanding the narration.

Rebus gets better and better

Sure he is older but his instincts and worldview are unchanged. Rankin has a winner here and I hope he keeps it up.

Ian Rankin is Always Good

If you could sum up Standing in Another Man's Grave in three words, what would they be?

Good listening experience

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

John Rebus is nearly to the end of his career as one of the old time cops in Scotland. There's a lot of driving and going to pubs and drinking and going out to smoke, which is fitting for the character and paints a picture of the setting of the story as well as Rebus' life in general, but does slow the progress of the story a bit. However, having been to many of the towns in Scotland that were mentioned, I personally appreciated the travel aspect, and the story did wrap up well. It's not like it was a page-turner, but was good none-the-less. I especially love this narrator. Excellent accent and great with different characters.

The persistent Rebus

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

As usual John Rebus plugs along trying to understand what really happened to a group of missing girls. Rebus is an old school in the extreme. He is crusty and has no patience for rules. He sees his job clearly - get the guilty punished. In this chapter in the ongoing Rebus saga, Rankin takes Rebus to more rural locations.

The narrator is excellent, although Americans will have to adapt to the strong Scottish accent.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Rankin is not an edge of your seat writer. On the other hand, I did not want to stop listening.

What does James Macpherson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The Scottish pronunciations

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Missing women, not forgotten

Great Book.

This book had a great story. It was a littile anti climactic, but i loved it anyway. i would recomend to anyone.

It was grave, for sure.

Mysteries don't have to include comic relief, and in this book, it was a good thing they don't.

Solid Rebus!

If you enjoy a John Rebus tale, you will enjoy this one. Competent and enjoyable narration. Some of our longtime favorite characters… Rebus is still smoking, drinking, and taking terrible care of himself.