DI Rebus is caught up in a variety of struggles, between competing law enforcement entities, between gangs in Edinburgh, between Catholic and Protestant in both Ireland and Scotland. He is seconded to the Scottish Crimes division because he recognized that the murder of a young man showed signs of torture known to be used in The Troubles, as a result of his own stationing in Belfast many years before; but when the bodies begin piling up, including that of an undercover officer, he wonders if the various police forces might be harbouring a leak somewhere…. This is the sixth Rebus book, and in it we learn a bit more about his checkered history, which helps to explain some of his behaviour in the present; we also see more of his interactions with various women in his life, which are all of course complicated - sometimes by his own poorly understood actions. Although sometimes quite bleak (especially dealing with the poor and unemployed youth of 1990s Scotland), we also see a bit of the brighter side of Edinburgh such as the annual summer Festival; and Mr. Rankin’s writing is, as ever, both lucid and, at times, very funny indeed. I’m not convinced that one must have read each of these books in order (although that is what I myself am doing), as it seems to me that any of the books that I’ve read so far could serve as an entry point into this series; but of course, part of the pleasure of discovering a series that has been around for a long time is the fact that one will have so many more books to look forward to; recommended! ( )

A step back up from The Black Book but didn't quite blow me away like Strip Jack did. I read the second half of the book in a single day which is fast for me because the pacing was just perfectly judged. The plot ended up a bit too vague and a couple of paragraphs of exposition dump at the end made it feel like the author knew it, too. ( )

Set in Edinburgh. References to Northern Island, sectarian violence as well as social disadvantage in Scotland and nationalism. ( )

Während oben in Edinburgh das Fringe-Festival tobt, wird in den labyrinthischen Gewölben von Mary King’s Close ein Mann mit sechs Kugeln ermordet. Ein in Terroristenmanier verübter Mord, was Inspector Rebus intuitiv aber für die falsche Erklärung hält. Unter Hochdruck fahndet er nach dem Täter, um dessen Leben zu retten – denn der Ermordete ist der Sohn von Unterweltboss ‚Big Ger’ Cafferty. Und ‚Big Ger’ hat bereits blutige Rache geschworen …

This is #6 in the Rebus series. I didn't discover this series until The Falls which is #12. When Rankin decided to retire Rebus I decided that I was going to read all the books before The Falls. Since Rebus' retirement he has appeared in more books. In fact, Rankin is appearing in Winnipeg in a week to read from his latest. I am still continuing to read the back list but I only have one more so I'm glad to know I have some new ones to read.

This book is set in Edinburgh in August of 1993 but Northern Ireland is omnipresent. Rebus served in the army in Northern Ireland and saw a lot of violence there. So when he is called to a murder in which the victim was shot seven times (twice in his ankles, twice in his knees and twice in the elbows with a final shot to the head) he recognizes the pattern as what was called a six-pack used by paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland to punish someone who stepped out of line. So from the beginning the police suspect that Irish supporters might be responsible for the murder. When the victim is identified he turns out to be the illegitimate son of Morris Gerald Cafferty, the mob boss that Rebus put in prison. The victim never knew who his father was but Cafferty had always kept an eye on him and sent money for his support. Now Cafferty is determined that the person or people responsible for his son's death be caught (and killed). Rebus gets seconded to the Scottish Crime Squad who are involved because of the connection to terrorism but he also spends time with his home police station who continue to investigate the murder. It gives Rebus a lot of freedom to pursue his own ideas. It also gives him some time to get involved with a female lawyer from the Procurator Fiscal's office. He knows this is wrong since he is living with Patience Aitken but he can't seem to help himself. Rebus has a complicated love life.

I have to say I had a little difficulty following the twists and turns of this book; maybe I can blame it on the head cold I am suffering from. I did enjoy all the details about the Edinburgh Festival which is on when this book takes place. Old Town and New Town sound really interesting and I am hoping to get there soon but I think I'll pass on visiting the Garibaldi Housing Estate where some of the bad guys live. ( )