Hide and Seek expanded one of the themes from Knots and Crosses - Rebus' relationship with his non-policeman brother - for a complex web of pairs of police/non-police brothers whose relationships cross the boundary of legality. It's also the most political of the first three novels, in that Rebus' investigation into the lonely death of a drug addict takes him into the highest echelons of Edinburgh society (there is a scene featuring the Temptation of John Rebus by the devils of social status). The ending is rather unsatisfactory for Rebus but not for the reader. ( )

Yet another fantastic instalment in the Rebus series. Ian Rankin is rapidly developing into the best crime writer of his generation, yet there is more to Rebus than crime fiction, Superb ( )

At once a homage to, and a tongue-in-cheek poke at, famous and much-loved literary characters, this second instalment of Rebus, Hide & Seek, delivers another appealing tale, ingenious in the construction with its prominent The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde inference; from the quotation at the start of the book to the resolute comparisons within the vibrant, urban environs of Ian Rankin’s home - Edinburgh. And from the first word… “Hide!”

John Rebus, possibly resulting from events in Knots & Crosses has finally been promoted to Detective Inspector; and while this has rather improved his professional circumstances, his personal life is as much a mess as ever. Called to the discovery of a body in the housing estate area of Pilmuir, at the beginning of his working week, Rebus is unable to accept the death as a simple drug overdose, due to the specifics of the case. Meanwhile his new superior, Chief Superintendent Watson has corralled Rebus into being the face of his latest anti-drug campaign, funded by some notable, local businessmen - a very reluctant poster-boy at that. By Tuesday Rebus has chosen methodical Detective Constable Brian Holmes to aid him in his investigation of this death in the Edinburgh squats, while simultaneously rubbing shoulders with the elite of Edinburgh society. And inevitably, these contrasting arenas begin to merge into one murky mass of depravity until, at the end of the week the split personality of this city – the sordid underbelly of cultured, upper-class Scottish elegance - is exposed, in all its moral reprehensibility.

This episode, distilled within a total of six consecutive working days, is really quite a clever creation. Along with the entire basis of the plot alluding constantly to Jekyll and Hyde, the naming of Rebus’ associates is almost flippant, providing a lighter timbre to what is, in actuality, quite a dark and disturbing tale. Added to this are the tangential intrigues in this narrative, and while peripheral to the main premise, they are noteworthy in themselves. And there is no doubting the overall deliberate intent; the ending calculated to provide, unambiguously, a stark denunciation and condemnation – a grim reflection - on parts of our culture, even today.

Again the author shows his considerable writing skill with another fast, graceful read. As for Rebus, his character continues to mature; his elevation in the ranks allows his considerable talents to expand, albeit in direct contrast to the decline in his personal happiness - his own worst enemy in that regard. The quintessential police detective - his multifarious character subtly flawed and suitably driven - I find I must reluctantly agree with his colleagues’ conclusions: "Rebus was a bastard after all." (p.97)
I, on the other hand, can live with that!

(May 6, 2009) ( )

I have read most of the Rebus books in an ad hoc order based upon what the local library had upon their shelves. This book must either have been so popular that it was always loaned out, or so unpopular that they did not bother to hold a copy.
Having read it as part of my quest to read/re-read the Rebus novels in order, I would understand the former but find the latter to be a monumental error on the part of the librarian. Rebus continues to grow into the character that we know and love in his later exploits. The affair with Gill Templar has cooled and the early signs of Rebus' fight with 'the booze' are in evidence. I suspect that Rankin must have had a life plan for Rebus before the books were written. This has the advantage of giving us a detective who develops: he is not, like some of his famous counterparts, stuck at one age through the decades and his weaknesses swell and fade with a believable rhythm again in contrast to certain detectives.
The story here is of a drugs over dose but, was it self inflicted, or was it murder? I am dubious that a real police force would have the time to investigate such a circumstance but, if one lets this pass, the story hangs together well. In the end, of course, Rebus gets his man: or does he? ( )

Far, far better than the 1st Rebus novel. A compelling mystery about a dead smack addict & an underground boxing club. ( )