“He’s gone…” When his daughter Samantha calls in the dead of night, John Rebus knows it’s not good news. Her husband has been missing for two days. Rebus fears the worst – and knows from his lifetime in the police that his daughter will be the prime suspect. He wasn’t the best father – the job always came first – but now his daughter needs him more than ever. But is he going as a father or … ever. But is he going as a father or a detective?
As he leaves at dawn to drive to the windswept coast – and a small town with big secrets – he wonders whether this might be the first time in his life where the truth is the one thing he doesn’t want to find…
A thrilling new Rebus novel about crime, punishment, and redemption, from the Edgar Award-winning “genius” of the genre (Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series)
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“A Song for the Dark Times” is my very first Rebus read, but it has sparked an addiction for Ian Rankin’s writing. I have enjoyed four of his crime thrillers this week, and aspire to reading them all!
Having lived in Scotland in the past, with 15 of those in Edinburgh, I really enjoyed the walks down memory lane.
Although Rebus has retired and suffers from COPD, which has forced him to move to a ground floor flat with his beloved dog Brillo, he is still very much addicted to solving crime.
His daughter Samantha calls on his help when her partner goes missing, and he heads to the far north of Scotland to support the search. Meanwhile his friend DCI Siobhan Clarke is investigating a murder, which soon becomes intertwined with Rebus’s unofficial detective work.
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, the Scottish humour, and the sweet memories that Rebus’s eclectic music collection instilled in me.
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed Rebus’s latest outing. As he gets older, he struggles to get closer to his daughter and granddaughter. But is it too late?
Ian Rankin is a favourite author, and the only writer of this genre that I know will satisfy. I’ve had a long love affair with the John Rebus- my favourite police detective- and the people he interacts with.
Rebus is retired and drawn into his daughter’s missing boyfriend as a father, but his detective skills emerge as he digs into the mystery. Expect supporting characters to interweave an investigation. Crime writing at its best.
When his daughter Samantha calls in the dead of night, John Rebus knows it’s not good news. Her husband has been missing for two days. Rebus fears the worst – and knows from his lifetime in the police that his daughter will be the prime suspect. He wasn’t the best father – the job always came first – but now his daughter needs him more than ever. But is he going as a father or a detective?
As he leaves at dawn to drive to the windswept coast – and a small town with big secrets – he wonders whether this might be the first time in his life where the truth is the one thing he doesn’t want to find..
My thanks to Orion & NetGalley for a copy of this book, I’m always excited to read a new Rebus book & I believe this is the twenty third in the series, is it getting stale – no way. Rebus is now retired & suffers from COPD so this means he & Brillo are moving to a ground floor flat helped by Siobhan. The events of the book happen over a week whilst Rebus investigates the disappearance of Keith back in Edinburgh Siobhan is investigating the murder of a university student. As always it was a very well written book that flows effortlessly. The characters are extremely well portrayed, with plenty of depth. There are plenty of red herrings plus twists & turns to keep the pages flying, a thoroughly enjoyable read that I devoured in a couple of sittings
John Rebus I am so glad you are back in A Song for Dark Times.
Rebus having moved as faces a health set back receives a call from his daughter saying her partner is missing.
Rebus is off the north coast of Scotland ( lots of history in the story of interment camps) . The village and townsfolk are described so well you feel like you are sitting in the pub having a pint with them.
Rebus wears two hats: one as a Dad and the other as a detective. One he wears so much better than the other but he is really trying.
At home Sutherland, Clarke and Fox ( so enjoyed him in this book) are solving their own murder.
Cafferty does not let Clarke or Fox forget he is to be reckoned with.
I don’t want to spoil the plot so I will let you the reader discover what happens.
The book has all the banter, they mystery that one expects from Ian Rankin and he does not let the reader down.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Song for the Dark Times and cant wait to get my hard copy , the space on my book shelf is waiting.
Thanks Ian Rankin for a great story.
Thanks to NetGalley , Little Brown and Company for allowing me once more into John Rebus’s world.