Knots And Crosses

Being entirely new to the Crime Fiction genre, I took Ian Rankin as being a good entry point. Plenty of books already on the shelf, recommendations aplenty...what could possibly go wrong?

The debut of Inspector Rebus, though, while far from being a car-crash of a read, was nonetheless disappointing. For the first three-quarters of the book, the plot is lethargic and dull, and Rebus himself, while fairly easy to identify with, soon becomes rather two-dimensional with his constant brooding and melancholy. Rankin seems to be at constant pains to paint a more surly and seedy Edinburgh than we perceive, which initially is fine, but we are reminded at every possible moment of this apparent dark side as though we can't be trusted to remember. The other major thing he antagonises over is the characterisation of Rebus and his (wait for it) dark past. While all this build up and evocation is effective, the fact that it goes on for 138 pages, with little plot advancement, is enough to make most casual readers put the book down long before that moment.
If you can persevere up to that magic moment, however, when the clues snap magically into place, then the pay-off will flow and will pretty much make up for it. The revelations that follow are smart and suitably 'why-didn't-I-realise?'-esque. Seasoned crime novel readers may have worked it all out long beforehand, but for those not as familiar, the twists that are revealed are satisfying and go a long way into connecting you better with Rebus.

If you'd have asked me while I was halfway through this book whether I'd read the next in the series, I'd have flatly refused. Now, though, I'm considering it, thanks in no small part to the ending...

Not a great book, but it works well as a curtain-opener on Rebus' world.

Served its purpose (1/1 people found this helpful)

I had taken the opportunity to read Knots & Crosses upon a lengthy bus journey -- but fell short of the first six chapters by the time I had arrived, largely due to tiredness and distracting mobile phone calls. I picked the rest of the book up a few days later, and never put it down again! Finished the book the same night and thoroughly enjoyed it.

New to Rankin, i had heard numerous recommendations, so I decided to start at the beginning of the Rebus series, completely oblivious to criticism of his earlier works (criticism indeed, which the author levies at himself, in retrospect, as part of the prologue).

The story is set in Edinburgh, in surroundings familiar to Rankin. This, in itself, set the tone for me, being a Scottish native, and fan of the culture. Rankin is quick to use street names, landmarks and famous characters related to the city, accompanied by the occasional anecdote, perhaps sometimes unnecessary to the plot, but interesting nonetheless.

Rankin's significant strength is his ability to build characters, and encourage empathy, particularly with the protagonist, the hardened yet essentially brittle figure of John Rebus, and ex officio temptress Gill Templer.

The plot itself, highly simplistic, is the book's significant weak point - perhaps lacking the essential twists and turns, and climax usually associated with a murder mystery.

As an introductory novel, it served it's purpose. I will read the next Rankin novel in the series, mostly in anticipation that his later installments are indeed filled with a more engaging plot, as reviews would suggest.

An Awesome Introuction to Rankin & Rebus (1/1 people found this helpful)

Knots and Crosses is the first book of the Rebus world. Inspector Rebus is a detective in the Edinburgh police force. Rankin introduces the book wonderfully and gets you turning pages very fast and wanting more.

Rebus, a divorced semi alcoholic old fashioned hard nosed copper is made to work on a case of a missing child. With the crime are many twist, one of them being Rebus's own brother. As soon as he is introduced to you by Rankin, you have a seed of doubt about him.

This is a great book for any crime reader, I am well and truly hooked on Rebus's world now and I want more!!

The First Book in the Rebus Series (3/3 people found this helpful)

'Knots and Crosses' is the first book in Rankin's Rebus series. Several young girls have been kidnapped and murdered in Edinburgh and the murderer seems intent on getting Rebus to pursue him by sending Rebus cryptic notes. All the notes contain either a knotted piece of twine or two crossed matches. To solve the case, Rebus must confront aspects of his past that he would much rather forget.

The introduction to the novel is really interesting as Rankin reflects on his work and points out the flaws that he now sees. It's fascinating to watch the progression of a novelist from their own perspective.

I liked the novel very much. It's short and pacey, but I think that the character develops much further in later novels and is more psychologically and intellectually realistic later on which is why I've only given it three stars. Nevertheless, recommended.

Can't wait to read the next one! (2/2 people found this helpful)

I have read several of the Rebus books over the years, in no particular order and have found them all OK as books in their own right, but have found Rebus's character to be incomplete. I realise now that you need to read these books in the right order.
This first Rebus book is a great introduction to Rebus the person and starts to explain the reasons behind his brooding, dark attitude to the world.
The book meanders around Edinburgh whilst solving a whodunnit series of murders which is put together very cleverly.
It does seem difficult to believe that when Ian Rankin wrote this book he did not foresee that the Rebus series of books would continue as there are many areas of his previous life which are touched on but leaving plenty of room for further exploration.
Having read this, I will now be reading the books in order - bring on the next one!

Ian Rankin

Reader Reviews:

You must persevere (1/2 people found this helpful)

Served its purpose (1/1 people found this helpful)

An Awesome Introuction to Rankin & Rebus (1/1 people found this helpful)

The First Book in the Rebus Series (3/3 people found this helpful)

Can't wait to read the next one! (2/2 people found this helpful)

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