http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1313421...

The fourth of the Rebus detective books, an engaging read about an MP who is caught in a brothel, and the relationships between him and his schoolfriends which run out of control; there is also a very charming institutionalised psychopath, plenty of office politics and personal dilemmas for Rebus, and some excellent plot twists. I will keep at this series. ( )

This is the 4th book in Ian Rankin's series about Detective Inspector John Rebus, set in Edinburgh and is the best so far.
I read series in order, so character development makes sense: book 1 is Knots and Crosses, 2 is Hide and Seek and 3 is Tooth and Nail.
This book inspired me to keep on reading late at night, which is high praise from me.
Rebus solves complicated crimes and debates about where his relationship with Dr. Patience Aitken is going.
Stolen rare books, Gregor Jack who is a respected MP caught in a brothel, two murdered women and an intriguing group of childhood friends all grown up who are still friends and enjoy wild secret parties together.
These elements combine to create a book I highly recommend. ( )

Another excellent detective novel. Back in sunny Edinburgh with yet another new girlfriend. Nice to see Rebus keeping in touch with his new friend Flight in London. I did like the interaction between those two in the last book. Also nice to see Brian coming up through the Edinburgh ranks and becoming more respected and useful in the process. A nice little book, with thoughts on old friends and loyalties and love, and how things aren't always what they seem. Not much more than that to say really. ( )

That is what John Rebus finds when he is dealing with an MP who has been caught in a house of ill repute. John keeps going back to Gregor Jack trying to help him fix the damage to his career, but while this is going on Jack's wife is missing. Rebus has many bad feelings, and when her body turns ups, Rebus and his faithful Sergeant Holmes trail a killer. The investigation throws them up against some of the so-called "cream" of society, and John has to pussyfoot around in order not to upset feelings. These Rebus books are really good. I enjoy Rankin's eccentric and spare writing style. I also enjoy the look at Scotland that the books give. And most of all I enjoy Rebus. He is a real character! The mysteries are always quite complex. Lots of fun. ( )

Definitely not Ian Rankin's best. Towards the middle of the book I found myself slogging away at it like a diligent donkey. It could have been better. It could have been worse. It wasn't disgustingly bad, just tedious.

Teeeeeeeeedious. ( )