DEAD SOULS.

Rankin, Ian.

ISBN 10: 0312202938 / ISBN 13: 9780312202934

Published by ST. MARTIN'S., NY, 1999

About this Item

SIGNED by Ian Rankin on the title page. Fine in a fine dj. A John Rebus novel. Seller Inventory # 308180

Bibliographic Details

Title: DEAD SOULS.

Publisher: ST. MARTIN'S., NY

Publication Date: 1999

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

Signed: Signed by Author(s)

Edition: First Edition.

About this title

Synopsis:

John Rebus has trouble in the form of a paroled murderer, a pedophile, and the missing son of a former sweetheart, all coming together in a mystery that could cost him everything. 25,000 first printing.

Review:

When an author as successful as Rankin has been with his tough and idiomatic Scottish thrillers, a problem sets in after several books: how to keep the formula fresh.

Rankin has delivered a powerful series of books featuring his beleaguered Detective Inspector John Rebus, and while never less than gripping, a certain tiredness seemed to be setting in. Thankfully, Dead Souls is a resounding return to form, with a plot as enjoyably labyrinthine as any Rankin enthusiast could wish for, and pithy dialogue that fairly leaps off the page. Stalking the streets of Edinburgh on the trail of a poisoner, Rebus hits upon a freed pedophile and his subsequent outing of the man leaves him with very mixed feelings. But another problem develops for Rebus: a convicted murderer has him in his sights for some lethal games. And the tabloid press lionizing of Rebus won't help him in this situation.

As always, Rankin is perfectly ready to tackle contentious issues--precisely the thing that gives his books their powerful sense of veracity. And Rebus, no longer in danger of having a soap opera-like accumulation of personal problems, seems as fresh and well-observed a character as in those first exhilarating books. Rankin has caught his form again, with even more assurance. --Barry Forshaw, Amazon.co.uk