Tag Archives: Standing in Another Man’s Grave

I like reading Ian Rankin’s novels. I’ve been a Rebus fan for ages and I’ve read one of the Malcolm Fox novels. This has a bit of both although Malcolm Fox isn’t portrayed very sympathetically.

Here’s the blurb …

It’s twenty-five years since John Rebus appeared on the scene, and five years since he retired. But 2012 sees his return in STANDING IN ANOTHER MAN’S GRAVE. Not only is Rebus as stubborn and anarchic as ever, but he finds himself in trouble with Rankin’s latest creation, Malcolm Fox of Edinburgh’s internal affairs unit. Added to which, Rebus may be about to derail the career of his ex-colleague Siobhan Clarke, while himself being permanently derailed by mob boss and old adversary Big Ger Cafferty. But all Rebus wants to do is discover the truth about a series of seemingly unconnected disappearances stretching back to the millennium. The problem being, no one else wants to go there – and that includes Rebus’s fellow officers. Not that any of that is going to stop Rebus. Not even when his own life and the careers of those around him are on the line.

I enjoyed this novel the crimes were complicated and Rebus as obnoxious as ever (I think if I worked with him I’d be on Malcolm Fox’s side!). There is a lovely sense of place – lots of driving around remote Scottish places and it appeared cold and wet (which was quite lovely – it is going to be 41°C here today so you can appreciate how much I liked reading about something cold!). I also enjoyed the references to the round abouts in Perth because my Perth is also afflicted with round abouts!

I don’t want to spoil the ending, but Rebus had a hunch as to the identity of the criminal and stuck stubbornly to his idea despite the lack of evidence. I don’t feel convinced myself (perhaps I didn’t pay enough attention earlier?).

Anyway I am sure this won’t be the last Rankin novel I read.

More reviews …

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/nov/18/rankin-standing-mans-grave-review