Exit Music |
 |
 click here for more details, find new or used items |
Ian Rankin
|
|
Pages: 400 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 0752868608
Pub: Orion
Pub date: 2007-09-06
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 2201
Reader Reviews:
Bravo, Mr. Rankin. (0/0 people found this helpful)
First Sentence: The girl screamed once, only the once, but it was enough.
DI John Rebus is one week from retirement. What begins as the murder of a Russian poet becomes much more complex. Does it involve the Russians meeting with Edinburgh real estate agents and bankers? How does it link with a second murder? What is the connection to Rebus' nemeses Ger Cafferty?
When Rebus gets suspended, it's up to DS Siobhan Clark to work on the inside while Rebus keeps investigating from the outside.
I put off reading this book because I was concerned as to how Rankin would close out Rebus' career. I need not have worried.
This is quintessential Rebus who has given up almost everything in his life for his job. The case seemed to start off as a simple killing, but layers build upon layers and twists upon turns.
Rankin has done such a fine job creating Rebus, he is very real. I don't always like him, but you know that is intentional.
Rankin hasn't glamorized Edinburgh, as many authors do, but presents it as a city of people and problems as is any city, and he makes that city alive to us.
For me, the ending was perfect and just the right touch. I'm anxious to see what Rankin does next, but I do sincerely hope Rebus reappears from time-to-time. Bravo, Mr. Rankin.
Dull and disappoinitng end to Rebus (0/0 people found this helpful)
Page turning enough, but ultimately a dull and disappointing end for the Rebus series, which, in truth, went of the boil several books ago. All the standard elements are there: Rebus the declining outsider (yet another suspension) DI Siobhan Clarke as his ambivalent protegee; police procedural stuff; an East European connection - Russian gangsters, a Russian poet, along with the obligatory acacemic; the usual clunky attempt to link the crime story plot with the latest social and political developments (rise of the SNP and growingprospect of Scottish independence this time); "Big Ger" Cafferty (are there no other hone grown gangsters in Edinburgh?); and some bits of social commentary snippets on the highways and by-ways of Edinburgh and Scottish history. Sadly, as with many ofRebuses, it seems rather formulaic. The attempted twist at the end is especially clumsy and annoying for the reader, especially given the now standard (overwritten) length of the novel. There isn't even much sense of pathos with Rebus's exit from the force
Another cracker from Rankin (0/0 people found this helpful)
Couldn't wait to find out the end, but I'm so sorry to see him go. Rebus has been part of my life since I discovered him a good few years back and I can't believe I won't be following his troubled life any more. Rankin's creation was just about perfect, so believable, and although I shall miss looking forward to the next Rebus instalment, I truly think that the author should let him go peacefully and not think about resurrecting him in future novels. The little bit intrigue in the epilogue was just great, and a nice way to end the story, still keeping the reader guessing.
The saga is over, or ----- (1/1 people found this helpful)
Having been following Rebus and team from the beginning it is difficult to believe it is all over. Rankin has done a great job in Exit Music and deserves a round of applause for keeping the conclusion low key, but intriguing.
We must wonder if Siobhan will feature in future Rankin novels. If so, it is difficult to imagine Rebus not reappearing in some form. I personally hope that Rankin will draw a veil on the characters and move onto a different theme.
It has been a brilliant ride. Thanks Ian for the memories.
A good conclusion (0/0 people found this helpful)
In recent years I've read the full Rebus saga and this is a great final novel. The way ther series is concluded is done well - although the epilogue rather spoils a great book (hence only four stars) - an unnecessary final twist to a book that warranted a low key retirement party.
Whilst the early Rebus stories had superb plots, it was the character development and interaction that become more engrossing than individual storylines as the series unfolded. The plot in this novel isnt the best but the characters are great and this is what makes the Rebus novels well worth reading.
Recommended
Similar Products
Not in the Flesh
Dying to Sin
Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> Crime, Thrillers & Mystery -> Authors, A-Z -> R -> Rankin, Ian -> Hardbacks
Books -> Subjects -> Crime, Thrillers & Mystery -> Authors, A-Z -> R -> Rankin, Ian -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Crime, Thrillers & Mystery -> Mystery -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Crime, Thrillers & Mystery -> Thrillers -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> Fiction -> General
Books -> Subjects -> Fiction -> General AAS
Books -> Special Features -> Regular Stores -> Favourites in Books
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Hardcover
Books -> Refinements -> Condition (condition-type)