A Heart Full of Headstones: The number one bestselling series that inspired BBC One’s REBUS (A Rebus Novel)

I think any fan of crime fiction will enjoy A Heart Full of Headstones regardless of whether or not they have read any of the preceding novels featuring the, now retired, Edinburgh detective John Rebus. Why? Because this is a terrific, multi-layered crime novel, with a gripping plot and a cast of credible, if not always pleasant, characters. The plot had me hooked from virtually the first page; Rebus is on trial but we are not told for what crime or crimes he has been charged. The story then goes back in time and we are soon embroiled in tales of murder, drug dealing, possible police corruption and cover-up. The story ends back in the present day with Rebus' trial but we do not learn of the outcome ... in other words the book ends on a cliff hanger. Now normally novels that end on a cliff hanger leave me fuming as I feel it is a slightly underhand approach of getting you to buy the next novel. But this didn't happen in this instance as the storyline is so gripping and the outcome so unexpected, I found myself actually wanting to find out what happens next rather than feeling I had been hoodwinked by the author into buying another book in the series. Besides having an intriguing storyline and some very dramatic action-packed, page-turning scenes, the story also has a cast of credible characters. Some of the characters will be familiar to anyone who has read previous Rebus stories but what I particularly liked was the way a number of different human conditions are portrayed and how it affects attitudes and behaviour. For example Rebus and Cafferty (a criminal that Rebus has crossed swords with in the past) are both suffering in their old age from different medical conditions that now limit their abilities to act / react to events compared to when they were younger, while another character claims to be suffering from PTSD as a result of their time spent policing. I felt that in some respects the story has a slightly despondent air about it: it is set at the time when Scotland is emerging from the period of COVID lockdowns and people are unsure whether or not they should be still wearing face masks, keeping their distance from one another in social gatherings etc.; besides the obvious themes of justice and retribution the story also touches upon atonement for past mistakes, and finally the references to the music and musicians that Rebus likes reminds him (and those of us of a similar vintage) of times now long past. So if you are looking for a crime story that is full of atmosphere, credible characters and a gripping plot, then I think you will enjoy this book, but just be aware the ending will leave you wanting to find out what happens next. Let us hope the wait won't be too long!

Generally good and a fair amount of action which hasn't always been the case as Rebus gets noticeably older. Recommended for series fans and newbies alike. *Mild Spoiler Warning* I feel a flaw in this story is the way Rebus accepts a request to find a missing person in the first place. Theoretically not too much of a spoiler as it happens so early in the book. Given Rebus is now a retired cop and given the nature of the person who asks him to find a missing person, Rebus seems to take the job on far too easily. As a retired cop would he really do this? Also, given he's retired and not everyone's cup of tea even within the police, would he really be able to get the kind of info he does get as easily as he does? I know it's fiction but some reality is required. Mild spoilers aside it's a recommended read.

Really enjoyed reading this book. The latter books are even better than the earlier ones. Kept my interest throughout. Very good

Best yet beyond doubt A move away from the formula and maybe predictable genre novels Still with an Edinburgh flavour

Cards on the table - I am a massive fan of Ian Rankin's Rebus books. I have read them all and over the years they have given me immense reading pleasure. I have read them all at least once and I am currently reading them all again - next in line is "Resurrection Men" which I remember as one of the truly great Rebus novels, a masterpiece. So I am a fan pure and simple. But that doesn't stop me judging the latest Rebus objectively and I have to say that I am not overwhelmed. I'm not sure why Ian Rankin so deliberately and (in my view) unnecessarily, cramped his literary style and room to manoeuvre by setting the Rebus novels in "real time" - unlike the late great Peter Robinson who left Inspector Banks getting older and wiser but at a much more modest and pragmatic pace. The John Rebus we meet in "A Heart Full of Headstones" is frankly a physical wreck, seemingly forever on the verge of a terminal heart attack - what is gained by this? - I'm not sure. Rebus is now long retired from the police force but still unrealistically manages to get involved in serious current crimes. More worryingly, the Rebus in this novel just doesn't ring true to me. We always knew that he sailed close to the wind but there was never any previous suggestion that he was other than 100% honest - he may have bent the odd rule but he was very much one of the good guys and on the side of law and order. Here he admits taking "bungs" (not a plot spoiler) and sympathising with and being associated with corrupt cops. He also voluntarily undertakes a job given to him by his old foe Cafferty who he allegedly hates. Would the old John Rebus have done that? He wouldn't have touched it with a barge pole! It doesn't ring true to me. The Rebus in this book is not the Rebus we have got to know so well in the previous books. And as for the final big scene near the end - sorry, no way would Rebus have done that!! One of the great joys of earlier Rebus novels were the descriptions of Edinburgh, warts and all and the city was effectively a major character in its own right in the great Rebus novels. But here I didn't get much real atmosphere of Edinburgh, it all seemed rather low key and perfunctory. When the dust settles, I wonder if Ian Rankin will himself acknowledge that aging Rebus in real time was a mistake? And will he acknowledge that the series has never been quite the same since Rebus retired? Has that retirement left Ian Rankin struggling for inspiration? The ending of this novel makes it clear there is at least one more Rebus novel to come. I really, really hope that that book will be a major return to form - especially if it proves to be the very last Rebus book. And what will Ian Rankin write after Rebus? - hopefully no more Malcolm Fox novels!!

You see Rebus as a different character than when he was still on the force, but all in an interesting story. Ian Rankin is always a good read, never a disappointment .

Couldn't put the book down. The momentum just keeps going. Ian Rankin is a brilliant writer and his books are a joy to read. I didn't think he could write anything more about Rebus but my goodness what a final.

I have followed these books from day 1.

Ian Rankin's Rebus continues to age and his past is catching up with him... I'd say it's time to hand the Baton onto Clarke but this was a great read and back to the quality I'd come to enjoy. I found it a little slow to get going but the plot carried well with lots of moving parts. I recommend!

Fiel lector de Rankin, este fin de la saga queda por debajo de la calidad de su obra. Hubiera sido mejor dejarla inconclusa.