LoveReading Says
A truly fabulous blast of crime fiction. John Rebus continues to ignore retirement, and an unsolved case haunts his thoughts as he shoulders his way into the middle of a current investigation. Ok, hands up, I confess… this is my first meeting with John Rebus! I will admit to being slightly wary of jumping into the deep end of such a successful and prevalent series, yet immediately felt at home and now can't wait to work my way through the others. John Rebus may wobble on the scales of law and order, but his core sense of integrity, tenacity, and grit, ensure he is someone you would most definitely want on your side. I found myself well and truly caught in the snare of Ian Rankin’s writing; this was so easy to read, yet the story coiled, twisted, and thrashed its way through feuds, murder, and some seriously crooked minds. ‘Rather Be the Devil’ is a compelling, gutsy, proper crime fix, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. ~ Liz Robinson
June 2017 Book of the Month.
Liz Robinson
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Rather be the Devil Synopsis
The 21st Inspector Rebus novel from Ian Rankin.
Some cases never leave you. For John Rebus, forty years may have passed, but the death of beautiful, promiscuous Maria Turquand still preys on his mind. Murdered in her hotel room on the night a famous rock star and his entourage were staying there, Maria's killer has never been found. Meanwhile, the dark heart of Edinburgh remains up for grabs. A young pretender, Darryl Christie, may have staked his claim, but a vicious attack leaves him weakened and vulnerable, and an inquiry into a major money laundering scheme threatens his position. Has old-time crime boss Big Ger Cafferty really given up the ghost, or is he biding his time until Edinburgh is once more ripe for the picking? In a tale of twisted power, deep-rooted corruption and bitter rivalries, Rather be the Devil showcases Rankin and Rebus at their unstoppable best.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781409159421 |
| Publication date: |
15th June 2017 |
| Author: |
Ian Rankin |
| Publisher: |
Orion (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd ) an imprint of Orion Publishing Co |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
368 pages |
| Series: |
The Detective Inspector Rebus Series |
| Primary Genre |
Crime and Mystery
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| Other Genres: |
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| Recommendations: |
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Ian Rankin Press Reviews
'Superbly told, impossible to put down, and laced with Rankin's unmistakeable laconic wit it precisely underlines the treasure that Rebus has become.' Daily Mail
'Though it moves at pace, what makes this tale so satisfying is that its protagonists have had time to develop. Rebus's input serves to highlight the benefits of age, experience and keeping a sense of community.' Guardian
'This elegantly crafted and witty thriller proves this old devil still has all the best tunes.' Sunday Mirror
'Rankin is expert at what theorists of realism call the authenticating detail.' Scotland on Sunday
'Essential crime-reading.' SAGA
'This is an interesting and enjoyable novel.' Literary Review
'Rather Be The Devil is an intricate, evocative Edinburgh mystery that builds to a bloody finale. Retirement may not suit Rebus but it's resulted in yet another brilliant book in Rankin's revived crime series.' Crime Scene
'This may be Rebus's 21st outing, but this is a cleverly crafted tale and Ian Rankin's storytelling is as fresh as ever.' Irish News
'The 21st Rebus novel boasts effortless plotting and a cracking narrative that keeps the reader gripped throughout.' Daily Express
'Clever and compelling.' Independent i
'Rather Be the Devil showcases Rankin and Rebus at their unstoppable best.' Challenger
About Ian Rankin
Ian Rankin was born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960, Ian Rankin graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982, and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Literature. His first Rebus novel was published in 1987, and the Rebus books are now translated into thirty-six languages and are bestsellers worldwide. Ian Rankin has been elected a Hawthornden Fellow, and is also a past winner of the Chandler-Fulbright Award. He is the recipient of four Crime Writers' Association Dagger Awards including the prestigious Diamond Dagger in 2005. In 2004, Ian won America's celebrated Edgar Award for Resurrection Men. He has also been shortlisted for the Anthony Award in the USA, won Denmark's Palle Rosenkrantz Prize, the French Grand Prix du Roman Noir and the Deutscher Krimipreis. Ian Rankin is also the recipient of honorary degrees from the universities of Abertay, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Hull and the Open University.A contributor to BBC2's Newsnight Review, he also presented his own TV series, Ian Rankin's Evil Thoughts. Rankin is a number one bestseller in the UK and has received the OBE for services to literature, opting to receive the prize in his home city of Edinburgh, where he lives with his partner and two sons.
Author photo © Hamish Brown
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