Paul Humphreys rambles on....

Paul Humphreys rambles on....
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Thursday April 21, 2005

Rebus books

A morning TV book show recently featured Ian Rankin the author of the Inspector Rebus books. Set in Edinburgh the aging Inspector has over his career had to deal with most of types of murders you can imagine. The latest reviewed in the program is called Fleshmarket Close and relates to asylum seekers in Scotland. Rankin said that Rebus is only a few short years away from retirement and as his books follow our own 'real time' he will be hanging up his truncheon if he still has one soon. His female sidekick Siobhan Clarke ( not from Scotland, pronounced shivawn ) is now according to Rankin likely to take up the main character in his stories. Romance between the two is not on the cards though he admitted.

I have read all of the the Rebus books ( apart from the latest which I am waiting to appear in paperback ) starting with the first Knots and Crosses. I would suggest for new readers to go through the books in order to get the most from the series. They are all well written and tease the reader as the plots develop. An early book of his called Watchman has been reprinted and is of historical interest as many of the ideas for Rebus started in this book. Three books by Rankin under the name Jack Harvey are also worth reading. The TV series was a flop as far as I am concerned with John Hannah as Rebus. A new series is planned but Hannah is not taking up the main role again.

( Apr 21 2005, 04:00:53 AM PDT ) Permalink Comments [2]

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Comments:

I like Rebus too and have read them all. I recently read some James Ellroy novels - morbidly fascinating stuff which makes Rebus look like a teddy bear and Edinburgh like a suburban paradise compared to Hollywood. If you haven't read any Ellroy, I do recommend you give him a read, although after reading three harrowing books in succession, I can't wait for another Rebus book to come out and provide some light relief!

Posted by Chris Saul on April 26, 2005 at 11:01 PM PDT #

Thanks I will try Ellroy. Don't forget "Fleshmarket Close" will be out in paperback soon! </P

Posted by Paul Humphreys on April 28, 2005 at 11:22 AM PDT #