Helpful Score: 2
Never read this author, but took a chance. Glad that I did.
Agreed with another reviewer, that I would like to know more about the characters. Maybe the author does this in later books. Will read more of this series.
Agreed with another reviewer, that I would like to know more about the characters. Maybe the author does this in later books. Will read more of this series.
Karen S. (BoysMom) -
Helpful Score: 2
This would have been a "one-sitting" read-through for me if I had only started earlier in the day! As the first in the series, we are only just beginning to meet the characters and all the backstories are yet to be revealed. I, personally, like this and will now look forward to their development in the rest of the series. I purchased this book new and am only now getting around to reading it. I wish I'd started it when I brought it home and hadn't waited so long. Inspector Rebus is a dark, troubled soul. We get a glimpse into why here.
Peggy A. (peggyherself) reviewed Knots and Crosses (Inspector Rebus, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
My first Ian Rankin. Excellent! So much of this book was about our detective John Rebus. Being the first book in a long series, it introduced us to him properly. But what a wonderful thrilling ride to finding the killer! I liked the complex relationships between characters and watching the journey of a very broken man finding himself again. Looking forward to seeing more of Rebus!
I dunno about this book. It was okay and it was a quick little read, but I wanted to know more about the characters. I felt like they were under-developed... yet some things were over-descriptive, if that makes any sense. This is my first book by this author. I don't know if I'll go looking for more or not yet. It was good, just not great, but hey... it entertained me so.... :)
Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed Knots and Crosses (Inspector Rebus, Bk 1) on + 989 more book reviews
Not bad for a police book-interesting characters. Hope to see them get developed more in subsequent books.
An excellent John Rebus story. Murders in Edinburgh can only mean trouble for the hard drinking policeman. Keeps you guessing to the end.
A murder mystery set in present day Scotland. This is the first in the series featuring Detective Sergeant John Rebus.
Well written; interesting. Not quite enough to get me started on the series--it's tough for a detective/crime series to set itself apart, each has to grab you in some way and convince you it's worth continuing--but it was worth spending the time.
difficult to read in parts
Enjoyable.
The first story featuring Det. Rebus. Not at all what I expected from watching the TV program -- in fact, I like the book better.
Having read some later books in the series I was happy to learn of Rebus' background.
Inspector Rebus is trying to hide, in his mind, from SAS memories, and misses promotions, skip over s series of crank letters in his Edinburgh duties, but a crank is out there committing ghoulish murders that pressure him to get to work solving the puzzle.
But for bad language!
I really did not like this book. I had heard good things about this author but I was disappointed with this book. It felt too rushed.
This is the first book I've read by Mr. Rankin, chosen specifically because I like to read series in order (naturally). This didn't do it for me. The plot seemed contrived. I would have been more impressed had the protagonist, John Rebus, solved this case on his own wits than the seemingly frequent "deus ex machina" fashion in which clues were passed his way. I also found it difficult to feel any true empathy for or relate in a meaningful way to the characters. There were some scenes that drew me in but on the whole this was a somewhat tiring book to read, neither fresh nor originalwhich seems to be the way that much popular fiction has gone these days.
I really enjoyed this book and the character is so well written. It held my interest from beginning to end and I've already requested the second in the Inspector Rebus series. I was disappointed that the book was made into a TV series on the BBC but wasn't well received so I can't get those at my local library. I received this book as an exchange and there is some slight curling of pages from water but quite readable and in no way would that stop me from putting it up for exchange again.
good British mystery
I could not get into this book...very slow going.
GREAT!!!!
Good mystery.
An Inspector Rebus novel.
In Edinburgh of all places! I mean, you never think of that sort of thing happening in Edinburgh, do you?
The brutal abduction and uder of two young girls, and a thrid missing, gone to the same sad end, presumably. Detective Rebus begins recieving knotted string and matchstick crosses, a puzzle only he can solve.
In Edinburgh of all places! I mean, you never think of that sort of thing happening in Edinburgh, do you?
The brutal abduction and uder of two young girls, and a thrid missing, gone to the same sad end, presumably. Detective Rebus begins recieving knotted string and matchstick crosses, a puzzle only he can solve.
Most recent addition (2008) to Rebus series. I had never read the preceeding novels in the series but found this one to be enjoyable, very easy to slip into the story without having read prior books. The character developement and presentation of Britian's law enforcement interesting. Writing style is streamlined and efficient, the author has a well earned reputation as a novelist. This taste of the the Rebus series has me ready to read others, and to view the PBS-TV series that has brought the books to life.
