A Question of Blood

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Ian Rankin

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Pages: 448 (Paperback)

ISBN: 0752877135

Pub: Orion

Pub date: 2005-09-22

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 4155

Editorial Review:

Sometimes crime affects you directly: in A Question of Blood Inspector John Rebus is caught up in two cases that are closer to home than he would like. He is under investigation for the burning alive of a minor psychopath who threatened his attractive young sergeant Siobhan Clarke; and the son of an estranged cousin has been murdered in a high-school shooting.

As always in Rankin's novels, Rebus's bad attitude to his superiors comes back to bite him: even though doctors testify that damage to his hands is a scalding from trying drunkenly to get into an over-hot bath, it is regarded as circumstantial evidence of his possible guilt. The high-school shooting looks at first sight like another ex-SAS crazy going wild--and here Rebus's own past as an SAS washout comes to haunt him--and the constant meddling of army investigators screams cover-up. In fact, though, this is one of those occasions on which Rebus's slightly paranoid preparedness to see connections everywhere pays off and he manages to solve both crimes and a lot of other unsuspected pieces of mayhem besides. Along the way, the book offers Rankin's usual intense commentary on embattled masculinity and what it means to be a Scot, and this excellent sequence's usual portrayal of an Edinburgh where modernity rubs up against time-worn slums and ancient privilege. --Roz Kaveney

Reader Reviews:

Why do I read these books , I dont even like Edinburgh (1/1 people found this helpful)

"A Question of Blood" is not one of the best Rebus novels but it is still an entertaining enough read in the main. There are two main elements to the plot of this book, the first is the murder of two schoolchildren by a maniac who subsequently turns the gun on himself and the second is an incident where a petty criminal who had been harassing DS Siobhan Clarke gets burned alive in his home. Rebus is suspected of his murder. Ultimately these two incidents are proved to be linked,although somewhat tenuously. The novel is always intriguing if a little long winded at times ,although this does provide opportunities for the author to further develop the character of Rebus and his close associates.

Interesting fast-paced read (1/4 people found this helpful)

This is a fast-paced novel and quite light. Not vintage page-turning stuff, but perfectly readable. The plot is rather clunky and a bit too obvious at the end, but that doesn't really spoil the enjoyment. I could have done with a bit more of Siobhan and a bit less of Rebus though.

Solid rebus (2/7 people found this helpful)

A good solid addition to the rebus series. Well worth the money.

CLASSIC CALVANISTIC WIT WITH SCOTTISH THEME (2/2 people found this helpful)

Rankin brings the ancient streets of edinburgh to life - which is great for this exile from the city. This book brings through modern day themes such a revenge, suicide and web voyeurism. I love rebus's attitude and fast talking comebacks - his dialogues with siobhan clark make the book - and his continually clashes with the police hierarchy bring his rebellious side out. This was hugely enjoyable reading - rankin has come up trumps again!