Rebus investigates a cold case that just turned red hot. As he settles into an uneasy retirement, Rebus has given up his favorite vices. There’s just one habit he can’t shake: he can’t let go of an unsolved case. It’s the only pastime he has left and up until now, it’s the only one that wasn’t threatening to kill him. But when Rebus starts reexamining the facts behind the long-ago murder of a … murder of a glamorous woman at a luxurious hotel – on the same night a famous rock star and his entourage where also staying there – the past comes roaring back to life with a vengeance.
And as soon as Rebus starts asking questions about the long forgotten crime, a fresh body materializes. His inquiries reunite him with his old pals-Siobhan Clarke and Malcolm Fox-as they attempt to uncover the financial chicanery behind the savage beating of an upstart gangster, a crime that suggests the notorious old school crime boss Big Ger Cafferty has taken to retirement as poorly as Rebus himself.
As he connects the mysteries of the past to the those of the present, Rebus learns – the hard way – that he’s not the only one with an insatiable curiosity about what happened in that hotel room forty years ago, and that someone will stop at nothing to ensure that the crime remains ancient history.
A twisted tale of power, corruption, and bitter rivalries in the dark heart of Edinburgh, Rather Be the Devil showcases Rankin and Rebus at their unstoppable best.
more
This latest book in the long-running Inspector Rebus series is a great book that for me was hitting on all cylinders. All of the usual characters are back – John Rebus, Siobhan Clark, Malcom Fox, Darryl Christie, and Big Ger Cafferty. All of the characters are at their best, with Malcom finally coming into his own (even after two solo novels featuring Inspector Fox, I never felt comfortable with his character, but now I think Malcom is fitting in nicely into Rebus’s world).
What starts out as two seemingly unrelated cases – an attack on Darryl Christie that sends him to hospital, and a cold case of a murder in 1978 – quickly become a tangle of suspects and motives with actions in the past apparently having impact on modern events. John Rebus (now fully retired and trying to improve his health – the man has given up smoking!) is his usually “charming” best as he bullies and cajoles his way onto the current case. When another former detective is pulled from the Firth dead the cases suddenly become more serious.
There are many things I love about Rankin’s work, and the interplay among the characters is one of them. The relationships between Siobhan and Malcom is different than the one between Siobhan and Rebus or Malcom and Rebus, and the interplay between the different characters is real and brings them fully to life. Rebus’ relationship (certainly I wouldn’t call it a friendship) with Big Ger is quite complex with a lot of subtle nuances that really brings out the best (or worst) in both men. My only quibble (to bring down a half star) is that some of the story points did not seem to be fully resolved. They are minor elements – little side parts to the story – that we not answered here and that may be because Rankin is waiting for book #22 to resolve them, however that just left me feeling a little unsatisfied.
If you have never read one of Rankin’s Rebus novels, then I suggest you start with one of his earlier works, as a lot has gone on between all the major players that might be lost if you pick up Rather Be the Devil first. However, if you have read all of Rankin’s other books, then this is definitely one to pick up if you haven’t already. I look forward to the next Rebus novel.
The setting in Edinburgh Scotland, plus the way Ian Rankin integrates his characters into the life of the city, make for a great backdrop for crime and investigation. The main character Rebus is familiar to fans, and here he tries to retire from police work, but not really. He and his former partner Siobhan Clarke are at it again with the Moriarty-like Cafferty haunting all their efforts. This is a twisted tale full of familiar characters and interesting puzzles. A great escape.
In Ian Rankin’s Rather Be the Devil, Inspetor John Rebus is in retirement. He’s been forced to give up just about everything he enjoyed due to health concerns. With time on his hands, he begins reviewing facts from an old, unsolved murder case he’d been involved in years ago. In fact, he’d been pulled off the case for reasons of insubordination. At no surprise, Rebus rankles just about everyone along the way, except for investigators Siobhan Clarke and Malcolm Fox. A wonderful appearance by underworld boss, Big Ger has he and Rebus, now both retired, still going after one another. Another great Ian Ranking read!
Ian always writes a great story though Rather Be the Devil has far too many characters in for me to keep up with. Love Rebus as always though!.Ian Rankin
I love Ian Rankin’s character, Inspector Rebus. Rankin has a way of hooking you quickly in each book which means his books are true page turners and might keep you up late at night! Of course, there are the supportive characters like Siobhan and Malcolm Fox and others that we have all come to know through the many Rebus novels. Rebus in retirement is a force to be reckoned with for sure and I hope Rankin will continue to entertain us with more Rebus.
“Rather Be The Devil” is my second of four Rebus reads this week!
I really enjoy Ian Rankin’s writing style, including the Scottish humour and memories instilled from Rebus’s extensive music collection.
Although he is recently retired due to ill health, Rebus cannot let go of his need to solve crime, and is prompted to investigate an unsolved murder from the 1970’s.
Meanwhile DCI Siobhan Clarke and Malcolm Fox are working on another case which eventually overlaps Rebus unofficial detective work.
But will Rebus uncover the truth or will he step on too many official toes despite his retirement?