Product Description

Struggling through another Edinburgh winter Rebus finds himself sucked into a web of intrigue that throws up more questions than answers. Was the Lord Provost's daughter kidnapped or just another runaway? Why is a city councillor shredding documents that should have been waste paper years ago? And why on earth is Rebus invited to a clay pigeon shoot at the home of the Scottish Office's Permanent Secretary? Sucked into the machine that is modern Scotland, Rebus confronts the fact that some of his enemies may be beyond justice...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35655 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Detective Inspector John Rebus is not a man easily intimidated, so when political heavyweights start to lean on the dour, moralistic Edinburgh detective to stop an investigation, Rebus doggedly digs in and follows the case as it moves from embezzlement to murder and finally to conspiracy at the highest level of government.

Bill Paterson has just the right gritty edge to his voice to produce a convincing portrayal of jaded Edinburgh copper, Rebus. In the course of his investigation, Rebus comes into contact with all levels of Edinburgh society and Paterson finds convincing, unobtrusive voices for all of them. His reading is clear, well-paced and totally absorbing throughout. (Running time approx 3 hours 20 minutes)

About the Author
Ian Rankin is a regular No.1 bestseller, and has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Diamond Dagger. He lives with his family in Edinburgh, and in 2003 received an OBE for his services to literature.

Customer Reviews

Not the best but still pretty good
'Let it Bleed' is the seventh book in the Inspector John Rebus series, written by Ian Rankin and set it Edinburgh. The story begins with a high-speed car chase ending with the two teenagers in pursuit killing themselves. Then a few days later, a man who has been recently released from prison commits suicide in front of a councillor, who apparently has nothing to do with the victim at all. This takes Rebus onto an investigation into the corrupt world of Scottish politics and dodgy dealings.

I'm a big fan of Ian Rankin, especially his Inspector Rebus novels, and although 'Let it Bleed' isn't the best of the seventeen Rebus books (by a long shot), it is still a very enjoyable read and one that can be picked up and read fairly quickly. Anyone who has read a Rebus book before will be familiar with the gritty Edinburgh setting and Rebus's moody and agressive attitude and his obsessive behaviour towards his cases.

If it is your first time reading a Rankin/Rebus book, I perhaps wouldn't start with this one as it is a little slow and feels a bit like a series filler, but instead go with one of the best ones such as Knots & Crosses, Tooth & Nail, Black & Blue or Dead Souls. Still a very good read for fans of the series though.

Another quality Rankin and Rebus thriller
Rankin continues to churn out excellent novels, with the John Rebus series being the pick. This is another great Rebus novel that requires careful attention from start to finish. Blink and you'll miss a plot twist, or a hidden clue. The story is simple: Rebus unravels Edinburgh's underbelly of corruption - involving local government, the prison service, the police, and the Scottish Office - whilst his personal life unravels itself around him. If you've never read a Rebus novel, this one is a good introduction that will leave you feeling the need to read all the others.

Hooked me straight in and kept hold all the way through
Rebus gets sadder and sadder but there are lots of witticisms and examples of dry humour throughout to keep you (and him) amused. That said, he seems a lot more open with his opinions than some of the previous books which makes for a better read.
There are many familiar Rebus characters in this story which helps to give the feeling of a pair of slippers - comfortable and you can't wait to get back to it.
There were also some great touches - I loved the constant references to the leaking radiator. Rebus's drinking partners in the pub are wonderful, they sit seperately (yet somehow together) but feel the need to ring the pub and apologise if they are not going to be there.
All through the book Rebus is asking himself questions, resolving them and then asking more which keeps the readers interest going and is very much like a real life situation, as opposed to a standard murder novel where there is a murder then it is solved at the end.
Talking of the ending I thought it worked really well with the story finishing without being resolved - again very "real world". The American version of the book had to have another chapter written to explain what happened next which I think would have made the ending artificial.
Not a classic novel but a really enjoyable one to be recommended.