Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: The idea of a world-weary police detective who's willing to bend a few rules is one of the most used (and overused) formulae in the world of mystery novels. In Ian Rankin's hands, however, this well trodden path becomes something marvelous. I've been a fan of the Rebus novels for years. Rankin shows us an Edinburgh that's dark and exotic, while simultaneously being "small town"-ish and provincial. A Rebus novel will leave you feeling that you've experienced a bit of the city (and region) that will never appear in a tourist guide.In this installment of the Rebus series, John's gotten himself in more than a bit of trouble. He's been sent off for a last ditch chance to rescue the remains of his career. Could our man sit in a classroom and behave himself? Could things be as straight forward as they appear? Of course not! Rankin weaves rich and varied plot lines that involve most of your favorite characters from the previous novels, splashing raw and genuine feeling emotion across the pages as abundantly as blood and gore flow at a Rebus crime scene. This isn't a "cozy". Resurrection Men is a great addition to the Rebus series. I highly recommend it. Rankin fans will not be disappointed. If you are looking at this as your first entry into the series, please consider reading the books in chronological order. Aspects of the plot lines do carry along from book to book.
Rating:
Summary: A gritty, gripping adventure
Review: This book was a hard boiled gem. It has grit and facinating characters that carry a wonderfully crafted storyline to the finish. If you haven't read this author, start now, you won't regret it.
Rating: 
Summary: A Really Good Crime Novel (4.5 stars)
Review: This is the first novel I've read by Scottish author Ian Rankin; as a result, this review is bound to be more applicable to those who, like me, are newcomers to Rankin. Firstly, I really enjoyed this novel which, though a murder mystery, is very different from any other murder mystery I've ever read. Not only is it loaded with dialogue, but we view the entire story from the perspective of two police officers--John Rebus and his erstwhile partner Siobhan Clarke. It's unusual to get no description of any events from, at the very least, an objective, omnicient perspective. But don't think the story suffers as a result, for it doesn't. It was just unusual (at least from my perspective). Secondly, if you've never read a Rebus novel, you won't be handicapped at all. I don't know how much of what we're told (ie. about prior relationships or previous cases) was the more in-depth subject of previous novels, but Rankin makes sure that we have all the information we need in order to understand and enjoy this novel even if we've never read any of the previous ones. (And I don't believe he spoils things in case you want to go back and read the earlier books.) As for the story itself, Rebus has been sent back to "training school" for insubordination. Five other officers from various locales in Scotland are on the course with him, and it is in the course of their rehabilitation that they are given an old unsolved case to work on as a team. In the interim, Siobhan has taken over from Rebus on a new murder investigation. I know I'm not saying much, but I really can't say anything more without spoiling things. Suffice it to say, there are quite a few twists which make for an interesting story, and Rebus (as becomes clear quite early on) is a fairly complex character, for whom nothing is entirely black or white. I for one was not entirely sure just which side of the law he was on; frankly, I'm still not. For him the world exists, more than for most, in shades of grey. It would appear that Siobhan is beginning to come to that realisation too. In conclusion, although I'm not familiar with previous Rebus stories, I think it's a fairly safe bet that fans of Rankin's previous novels will not be disappointed with this one. Rankin tells a good tale, and I for one will be keeping an eye out for future novels.
Rating:
Summary: entertainingly vigorous investigative novel
Review: Though he knows he should never have displayed his anger by tossing the coffee cup in front of his boss DCS Gill Templar, Edinburgh Inspector John Rebus finds the remedy for his short temper quite embarrassing. Gill has enrolled John in the Scottish Police College along side several other RESURRECTION MEN. The superiors of those attending this syllabus hope that some of these rogue officers learn teamwork. However, the assignment that the class works on together leaves John wondering if he is set up to take a hit or is he really to go undercover and find out whether his fellow disgraced pupils are on the take. Meanwhile Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke discovers that her investigation of the art dealer's murder that led to the coffee cup incident is tied to Rebus's investigation as well as a strange connection to a crime boss. John and Siobhan soon see their cases merging and join the ranks to solve both of them. It is ionic that this solid Rebus police procedural is well written but not quite at the great level of most of the previous novels in the series, yet is one of the better sub-genre entries. RESURRECTION MEN proves how talented Ian Rankin is as Rebus fans will appreciate the effort and newcomers will search for other novels by the author. Rebus remains an ornery delight as his regret for tossing the mug is not having done it in private. Though the second half of the story line seems wordy, the rank and file will relish an entertainingly vigorous investigative novel. Harriet Klausner
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