Mortal Causes

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Summary: Troubles In Edinburgh
Review: After a particularly gruesome murder is discovered during Edinburgh's Fringe Festival, Inspector John Rebus is seconded to the elite Scottish Crime Squad. The reason for this is that aspects of the murder make it appear that a terrorist group was responsible and Rebus's previous SAS experience would come in handy. The investigation takes him from his home base to the villages of rural Scotland and across to Belfast and back again.

Throughout the book, the Catholic versus Protestant problem is continually raised, comparing Scotland to the Troubles in Northern Ireland and suggesting that the same uprising could be imminent. While the characters were discussing terrorist organisations there were enough three letter acronyms being bandied about to make me think I might have stumbled into a Microsoft manual.

Once again we are treated to the bare bones of Edinburgh's back streets and dingy estates that have fallen into ruin. Rebus is as inscrutable and removed from his fellow officers as ever, yet, at least for me, he is becoming more and more likable. I feel this series is getting more and more enjoyable with every book I read, this one is no exception.

Rating:
Summary: Rankin at his finest
Review: I have to admit that I am an Ian Rankin junkie. I have never been much of a murder-mystery devotee, but Rankin has a way with drama and putting characters together within the Edinburgh context that is exceptional. Mortal Causes is one of my favorite Rankin mysteries because it breaks away from many of his typical roles. Inspector Rebus is not called on the carpet, as usual, he is hard on the case, and we have the chance to see a bit of his own personal history. This novel is an 'easy read' and I found it thoroughly delightful.

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Summary: Rankin's best John Rebus mystery to date!
Review: I only discovered Ian Rankin's John Rebus mysteries quite recently and have read through all those available in a relatively short time. Rebus is a memorable character and Rankin's portrait of Edinburgh and the police department in his procedurals rings as very convincing and true-to-life. In _Mortal Causes_, the most recent of the Rebus titles to see paperback, Rankin's hero must investigate a particularly gruesome murder which begins to look like it might be the work of a terrorist cell from Northern Ireland. Rebus had spent time there earlier in his career, before joining the police. His expertise comes to prove valuable in this case, on in which not everything is as it appears. Set during Edinburgh's annual summer Festival, readers are treated to an exciting, realistic mystery which takes place in the side streets and housing estates that tourists don't normally see. Inspector John Rebus continues to develop into one of the more multi-faceted and interesting characters in contemporary mystery fiction and Ian Rankin's ability to grab the reader by the throat shows no signs of letting up. All in all, this is the best of the Rebus series, with a new book, _Let it Bleed_ currently out in hardcover, and another, _Black and Blue_, waiting in the wings. Receives my highest recommendation

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Summary: A good detective story, rich in details
Review: I read this book after returning from 2 weeks in Scotland. Rankin is an excellent writer with a good eye for detail. I found his descriptions of Edinburgh very true-to-life and they added an extra element to a strong plot. The inspectors drinking binges and hangovers get a little boring, but that is a small weakness in an otherwise rewarding read.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, well-plotted mystery
Review: If you're interested in Scotland(Britain) and their police force the Inspector Rebus series is a well-written, though dark look at life, murder and police politics and procedures

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Summary: Nice Yarn
Review: It's a good thing that Inspector Rebus is so smart. Otherwise, drinking too much and losing every fight he gets into would surely do him in. When a brutally murdered body turns up during the Edinburgh Festival, Rebus starts our tour of the city's seamier underside. There are more than enough additional murders, beatings, pubs, slums, betrayals, and manipulations to satisfy any mystery fan. The story is taut, well-paced, and peopled by memorable, well-developed characters. Although there was a bit too much impenetrable British slang for my taste, it certainly adds credibility and color to the tale. Pour yourself a single-malt, sit back, and enjoy the ride.

Rating:
Summary: mortal causes
Review: well where to start,again rankin astuonds me with his talent.The plots always twist and turn but never to the extreme of you losing the thread, beatifully deep rich characters with a high sense of realism. I first discover rebus series a few years and now it's worse than a bad coke habit, when you "score" a new novel you just want to be left alone to devour it. must be at least on par with james ellory. if you enjoy police books then this must be the best contempory series come on ian , we want more