Rating: 4/5
Review:
Another good novel from Ian Rankin
Ian Rankin's books are always good and sometimes quite
outstanding. I don't think this is an
outstanding one, but it's still very good.
In Rather Be The Devil, we continue Rebus's real-time
development. He is ageing with the rest
of us, now in retirement, of course, and even trying to look after his health
as it begins genuinely to worry him.
None of this stops him getting involved with an old, unsolved murder
case while Siobhan Clarke and Malcolm Fox continue their uneasy relationship
while working together on a current fraud and money-laundering operation. It's a decent enough story which becomes
pretty convoluted as the two cases may or may not be related to each other but
Rankin, as ever, tells it very well, creating good characters and keeping the
reader hooked.
These books are now really three-handers rather than just
Rebus novels, with Clarke and Fox having equally active roles. It works very well, I think, and they make an
interesting and engaging trio. Old adversaries
Darryl Christie and, of course, Big Ger Cafferty play prominent roles and
long-term Rebus fans like me will find this a satisfying instalment. (And those of us who share some of Rebus's
musical taste will enjoy the way the title Rather Be The Devil is never
actually mentioned, but its source features quite prominently on Rebus's
turntable.)
I didn't think the plot and sense of place were among
Rankin's best achievements, but a Rankin book which isn't one of his very best
is still head and shoulders above a lot of other crime writing. This
is an involving and rewarding read, and I can recommend it.
(I received an ARC via Netgalley.)
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