Tooth and Nail
by Ian RankinSign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 376)
Read in September, 2008
Reading an early Rebus (this is from 1992) forces one to realize how much Ian Rankin has evolved. His Rebus novels have gotten not only longer but also much more complex. The crimes Rebus investigates are no longer simply the acts of an individual but part of a complex mesh of social and political issues. Rankin is able to handle this complexity because of the gifts that make the early Rebus novels worthwhile: memorable characters, a precise sense of place, and excellent balance between the ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
Aye!
"There was no pattern, no neat mathematical solution, Who was he trying to kid? This wasn't the movies. The hero didn't stumble upon the answer. There were no shortcuts. . . . It was all plodding routine and forensic evidence." pp 102
And yet, despite this line about 1/3 of the way in, the solution to the mystery still pivoted on a chance encounter that resolved all the loose ends neatly in our hero's mind. Actually, the metaphor Rankin uses is ~ all of the billiard balls fel...more
And yet, despite this line about 1/3 of the way in, the solution to the mystery still pivoted on a chance encounter that resolved all the loose ends neatly in our hero's mind. Actually, the metaphor Rankin uses is ~ all of the billiard balls fel...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
Another excellent Rebus book. This book is slightly different as Rebus is sent to London to assist in the capture of a serial murderer. Rebus is not too sure of his ability to help out but as the plot proceeds his confidence in capturing the felon increases.
It is interesting to see London through Rebus's eyes. He is not 'in his element' and must face prejudice. Flight, Rebus's counterpart in London is a decent and good policeman and balances Rebus off very nicely. I love always how Rebus foll...more
It is interesting to see London through Rebus's eyes. He is not 'in his element' and must face prejudice. Flight, Rebus's counterpart in London is a decent and good policeman and balances Rebus off very nicely. I love always how Rebus foll...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2007
Interesting mystery that I definitely didn't figure out until Rebus did. I do think the story lost a little clarity with the trip across the ocean. I'm glad that Rebus was confused by a lot of the words Flight used, so I could get the definition along with him.
My favorite character didn't show up until near the end. The judge's reaction to Rebus' commandeering is so calm. I just had to chuckle.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/jo...
My favorite character didn't show up until near the end. The judge's reaction to Rebus' commandeering is so calm. I just had to chuckle.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/jo...
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
Rented from Recorded Books.
Narrated by Samuel Gilles
I like the story, but I really don't like the narrator - too much of an upper crust english accent, and the Rebus accent just does not cut it. James Gale reading The Naming of the Dead did a better job, even though I didn't think he was perfect either.
Maybe I'm spoiled by watching the BBC series with John Hannah as Rebus - he is perfect.
Narrated by Samuel Gilles
I like the story, but I really don't like the narrator - too much of an upper crust english accent, and the Rebus accent just does not cut it. James Gale reading The Naming of the Dead did a better job, even though I didn't think he was perfect either.
Maybe I'm spoiled by watching the BBC series with John Hannah as Rebus - he is perfect.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
Rebus's third outing from Ian Rankin. He's seconded to the Met to help track down the wolfman, who is actually a woman (or is it?) as we find out from almost the first page. The police don't have the same advantage as the readers. A good police procedural and it shows a gritty side of London with which many who only ever visit the place would not be familiar. Recommended.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Rebus is at his recalcitrant best while on special assignment to London to solve a series of gory killings by "the Wolfman". Solving the case relies heavily on Rebus's hunches and stubbornness to solve the case, rather than the steady work of his London counterparts, but it does have a spiffy car chase.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
This is my first exposure to Ian Rankin. The plot isn't much different than that of any other early 90's serial killer novel, but I was really impressed with Rankin's realistic style and his Scottish detective John Rebus. Both are enough to make me want to read more of the series.
Like this review?
yes
1 comments
One of my least favorite in the Inspector Rebus series, this on tracks a killer dubbed the Wolfman. As a plus it transplants our Scottish hero to London, giving Rankin a reason to write a stream of observations about how the Scot see the English.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
These Rebus books are dark and violent but well-written. Rebus is a sort of avenging angel with enough flaws to make him interesting and vulnerable. He has his Rambo moments but manages without shooting anybody or even carrying a gun.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I dug it. Interesting rabbit hole of a crime, slick narrative on the part of Rankin and Rebus as a character grows. He's in London, the Noir feel grows a little with the dirty city. I'm hooked on the Rebus series and that's ok.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in May, 2008
One of Ian Rankin's earlier Inspector Rebus novels. The character is nowhere near as developed as later on, but this book fills in some interesting early history about Rebus.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
Everyone!
Ian Rankin is an awesome writer! i enjoyed this book from start to finish, it is the first Rebus Book i have read an i intend to read the others now! =)
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2008
An all around good book! Was surprised by who the villan is and enjoyed the continuing story with Sammy.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
