The Black Book: From the Iconic #1 Bestselling Writer of Channel 4’s MURDER ISLAND

This is the fifth novel in the Inspector John Rebus series and after the somewhat dry subject matter dealt with in Strip Jack, this is a return to form in terms of providing both more action and plenty of the trademark Rebus wit. Significantly, it is at this juncture in the series that Ian Rankin first began to visualise his Rebus novels as a series, transition location-wise from a 'fictional' Edinburgh to the city authentic and introduced the perfect foil for Rebus in DC Siobhan Clarke. The Black Book features Rebus centre stage and without the complications of a girlfriend, meaning that it offers one of the sharpest portrayals of his early years. Whilst this fifth outing isn't as tightly plotted as it could be, feeling more like an amalgam of different threads that have been cobbled together somewhat, Rankin does manage to pull it into coherent shape along the way. Relatively directionless when it sets out with a joint surveillance operation with Trading Standards into one of the 'lieutenants' of the Big Ger empire on the go, Rebus does seem to go looking for other irons in the fire, perhaps reflecting his lack of interest in cutting down one of the lesser figures in the Cafferty empire. I have commented before on the lack of specific focus assigned to Rebus, and whilst I accept some dramatic licence, it seems unrealistic that even at the level of Inspector he can almost pick and choose his investigative pursuits. Maybe this was prior to the strict justification of resources and increased bureaucracy of the force, but it all adds to the "loose canon" persona of Rebus that Rankin hones.The fictional police station of Great London Road was razed to the ground in the fourth novel and The Black Book is the first to mark the move to St Leonard's Square. Although Rebus should be resident with girlfriend, Dr Patience Aitken at Oxford Terrace, booted out thanks to one disagreement too many, he is kipping on the sofa of the flat he rents to students in Arden Street, Marchmont. As he contemplates the "black comedy" of his life, it swiftly worsens with the arrival of his brother, Michael, back from London after a three years sojourn at Her Majesty's Pleasure and the news that his dependable DS, Brian Holmes, has received a blunt instrument to the back of the head.. Found in the car park of his regular nightly haunt, The Heartbreak Cafe, ex-girlfriend Nell suspects that the "black book" of cryptic notes, a mix of rumour and hearsay that Holmes kept on his person could provide the answer to the mystery of his unprovoked assault. Nell suspects he had worries on his mind and as Rebus waits with bated breath for the recovery of an unconscious Holmes, he focuses on the fire which destroyed the Central Hotel five years previously that is extensively covered in Holmes "black book" and something more significant than the surveillance operation; that of placing Big Ger at the scene.Added to this Rebus also handles a stabbing in a butchers with the victim unwilling to corroborate any details and the arrival of a convicted sex offender in the locality. Keeping a close eye on the surveillance operation results, albeit without putting in too much legwork, Rebus stokes these ongoing enquiries all with an eye on the bigger prize of Big Ger. With Holmes in hospital, the officer who works alongside Rebus is female DC Clarke. As a graduate with a flat bought for her by wealthy parents, DC Siobhan Clarke respects Rebus but is exasperated by his reluctance to adhere to the rules and confident enough to hold her own against her boss. Notoriously secretive and narrow-minded when he fixated on a case, Clarke is smart enough to put up with Rebus's sometimes frustrating methodology and occasionally humour him, knowing that working alongside him could teach her a few tricks about the low-life in the city. Notably Clarke and Rebus seem to strike up a relaxed rapport as they bang heads cross-referencing the case notes on Big Ger and the Central Hotel blaze and critically Rebus treats his underlings like equals, valuing their input.Morris Gerald Cafferty - Big Ger - is Edinburgh's premier gangster with a reputation that rules the city with a foreboding threat of terror. In the same respects that Rebus is a 'dinosaur' in the changing landscape of policing, Big Ger represents the old guard of gangster, with a marked respect for each other and has more in common with Rebus than either will admit to. Both men seem to enjoy jousting against each other whenever they meet, and the result is often a barrage of wit. Big Ger has a magnetic aura that adds to his towering reputation that not even John Rebus is immune to, with the reflected glory that being worthy of his company implying that you are someone to be reckoned with. Despite his desire to see Big Ger go down for a decent stretch, Rebus is as flawed as the next man on the street, and occasionally fooled by the many faces of Cafferty.Written in the wake of Rankin's spell in the US of A the puns are worse than ever with Rebus having particular amusement at the expense of the menu at The Heartbreak Cafe (King Shrimp Creole, Love Me Tenderloin, Blue Suede Choux, In The Gateaux), but as usual the nicknames of his colleagues and wrong 'uns across Edinburgh more than make up for it, from Chief Superintendent 'Farmer' Watson, Chief Inspector 'Fart' Lauderdale and, best of all, adversary DI 'Little Weed' Flower! Although in The Black Book, Rankin has delivered an assemblage of plots requiring a few too many bit part players, he once again seems to rouse Rebus into the close in order to pull this into coherent order. The result relies strongly on a few too many convenient coincidences but leaves Rebus once again coming through by the skin of his teeth and sets up his enduring adversary with the "clever scum" that is Cafferty.Review written by Rachel Hall (@hallrachel)

Ian Rankin's murder mysteries/thrillers are always worth reading and this is one of themMarion in Hailey

As someone that has really enjoyed the Rebus on TV, it is very easy to get into the action of the book and find yourself being absorbed as though you are in fact "Rebus" in person. Very descriptive and captivating. A brilliant read.

John Rebus comes alive through these pages. He shows that you can’t make quick judgement about people, and he’s human.

book delivered on time in good condition and competitively priced