The Rise

A Short Story

By: Ian Rankin

Narrated by: Indira Varma

In this short thriller from bestselling author Ian Rankin, murder comes to London’s most exclusive high-rise—and every resident is a suspect.

The Rise is a gleaming residential tower, newly constructed from steel and blackened glass, that stands on some of London’s most prestigious real estate. Looming imposingly over Hyde Park, only multi-millionaires need apply for one of its sumptuous apartments. But when the young night concierge is found murdered in the building’s lobby, the elite residents quickly find their gilded lifestyles under unwelcome police scrutiny.

Investigating officer DS Gish has her work cut out. The only suspects, those who live in the building, aren’t accustomed to police interrogation. But it seems horribly certain that one of them must be the killer. Could it be the Russian oligarch? Or the lonely actress? Maybe it’s the family of the career criminal? Or perhaps it’s the building’s reclusive developer who lives alone in the penthouse?

Obstructed continually by locked doors, governments both foreign and domestic, and an apparent absence of motive, can DS Gish solve this impenetrable mystery and apprehend the murderer—before they slip away forever?

©2023 John Rebus Limited. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Indira Varma is the perfect match for this short mystery set in a prestigious apartment building in the center of London.… Varma creates believable and likable characters in the two detectives. She injects just the right amount of world-weariness into DI Milton's character. Her strong characterizations brings to life the key suspects, who range from a Russian oligarch and the wife of a wanted criminal to a has-been actress. Varma's spot-on pacing keeps the listener engaged as the clues and red herrings keep coming.”—AudioFile Magazine

It wasn't a "really good plan" after all!

D. S. Gish has an eye for detail and proved to be really good at her job. Nothing gets past her... for long, as D. I. Milton will soon discover as they work together to solve their latest case.

Intriguing. Captivating

The narrator was versatile in her reading of all the characters. The story had a great mix of high literary value in its prose as well as intriguing plot elements. Great for fans of detective and mystery novels.

Loved her voice.

Great short story. Plenty of twists and turns packed into the narrative. I liked the main character, believable.

Amazing narration and a sharp story

Indira Verma is a brilliant narrator who bought this sharp thriller to life. The voice over for different characters was very convincing and the story was very good for a short listen.

Good mystery

Enjoyed this short story mystery. It was refreshing to read a short story instead of a novel just for something different.

Clever little story.

A change for Mr rankin but a good one. Clever little Agatha Christie type plot. Nice twist in the tale at the end. Worth the couple of hours listening time if you like whodunnits.

Fabulous narration

Meandering story line and hack eyed characters were "meh" but Gish the detective was terrific, and the dyspeptic version of current-day London was spot on

Too short

Okay, I’m not a lover of short stories. Give me a long novel anytime. But it’s Ian Rankin! How could I pass it up.

Interesting story. I never saw the ending coming. Narration was good. I didn’t realize Indira Varma had that voice.

A very different story from Sir Ian. I hope there are more - longer - books in the future.

Fun story

This was a fun short story that kept me guessing till the end. It was refreshing

Police Procedural

This was a classic murder mystery set in a high rise. There are a number of suspects and many twists and turns. This is a police procedural, solid detective work with likable and not so likable characters. India Varma handled narration beautifully. The culprit did surprise me.