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Rather Be the Devil

(Inspector Rebus #21)

Ian Rankin (Goodreads Author)

4.09 · Rating details · 10,120 ratings · 929 reviews

Some cases never leave you.

For John Rebus, forty years may have passed, but the death of beautiful, promiscuous Maria Turquand still preys on his mind. Murdered in her hotel room on the night a famous rock star and his entourage were staying there, Maria's killer has never been found.

Meanwhile, the dark heart of Edinburgh remains up for grabs. A young pretender, Darryl Chr ...more

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Kindle Edition, 317 pages

Published November 3rd 2016 by Orion

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· 10,120 ratings · 929 reviews

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Start your review of Rather Be the Devil (Inspector Rebus, #21)

Oct 01, 2016 Paromjit rated it it was amazing

Shelves: thriller, crime-fiction, mystery, netgalley

John Rebus is a favourite of mine, and when this book became available, I snapped it up. There is a strong element of comfort for me now that we are on his 21st outing. This is one hell of a thrill ride of a novel......and it all begins with Rebus dining out with Deborah Quant at the Caledonian Hotel when he tells her of an unresolved 40 year old murder of Marie Turquand, who was strangled in one of the hotel rooms. Rebus is retired but we all know that is not going to stop him nosing around in John Rebus is a favourite of mine, and when this book became available, I snapped it up. There is a strong element of comfort for me now that we are on his 21st outing. This is one hell of a thrill ride of a novel......and it all begins with Rebus dining out with Deborah Quant at the Caledonian Hotel when he tells her of an unresolved 40 year old murder of Marie Turquand, who was strangled in one of the hotel rooms. Rebus is retired but we all know that is not going to stop him nosing around in matters that are none of his concern. DI Siobhan Clarke brings the cold case files to Rebus, and he delves into the case. He is also plagued by serious medical concerns, which he refers, with mordant humour, as Hank Marvin. Meanwhile, there is turbulence within Edinburgh's criminal fraternity, and Big Ger Cafferty can be found right in the middle of it.

Rebus meets a number of people associated with the Marie Turquand case. Then the head of a police case review, ex-cop Robert Chatham, is fished out of the Leith after talking to Rebus.. It seems there are dangerous forces out there that do not want the case opened. A police unit, headed by DS Alvin James, which bypasses local CID, is set up to look into the murder. DI Malcolm Fox finds himself back in the city working with Siobhan after a serious assault on Darryl Christie, local crime boss and entrepreneur. Christie has links with a missing man who sets up shell companies for his clients so they can squirrel away money in tax havens. Malcolm's sister, Jude, brings trouble to his doorstep which has him worried. Cafferty is taking a close interest in the assault on Christie which eventually brings Rebus and the police to his door. This is a violent and bloody trail that takes in a brutal and dangerous Ukrainian mobster, betrayal, corruption, greed, bitter rivalries and a number of twists.

As ever, there is a great sense of location in Edinburgh in the novel which I loved. This is a superbly constructed and well written book with masses of atmosphere. I liked the character development that has given way to Rebus, Clarke and Fox now getting on so well and providing support to each other. They work with each other in a remarkably productive way to get to the truth. Given that the series has run for so long, it still has the capacity to surprise, and be an utterly compelling and gripping read. It is to the author's credit that this series is still going so strong. A book which I highly recommend. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC. ...more

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Oct 25, 2016 Maureen rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

I doubt whether Ian Rankin would like me comparing his new novel to a comfy pair of old slippers but sorry! That's exactly what I have to do. You put those slippers on, get comfy in your favourite armchair, and with feet up, the world just fades away. That's how I feel about John Rebus, I start reading and the world can take a back seat. Yes he can be grouchy, and playing by the rules doesn't figure in his vocabulary, but that's what I love about him.

Rebus is a couple of years into his retiremen I doubt whether Ian Rankin would like me comparing his new novel to a comfy pair of old slippers but sorry! That's exactly what I have to do. You put those slippers on, get comfy in your favourite armchair, and with feet up, the world just fades away. That's how I feel about John Rebus, I start reading and the world can take a back seat. Yes he can be grouchy, and playing by the rules doesn't figure in his vocabulary, but that's what I love about him.

Rebus is a couple of years into his retirement now, but he's not gonna let a little thing like that interfere with his investigations. In an unofficial capacity, he's working alongside former colleagues, gathering and sharing information for this latest case.

The latest novel sees him investigating a cold case from the 1970's when a young vivacious socialite was murdered in one of Edinburgh's most luxurious hotels. The hotel was full and there were many suspects at the time but no-one was ever brought to justice. Along the way this cold case becomes entwined with the more recent case of a brutal attack on Edinburgh's latest 'Mr Big', Darryl Christie, who's also suspected of money laundering. Alongside Christie, Big Ger Cafferty, old style gangster, (though now a pensioner,) still maintains a presence in the city, and still has that air of menace about him. Cafferty still believes the old ways are the best, and extracts information by means of torture, not a man to cross!

As is usual, Rebus has his own unique and humorous way of interacting with the characters, and has special relationships with the old school gangsters that help him gain information that other cops can only dream about, and primarily, it's the interaction with these characters that make Ian Rankin's novels special. The language and the humour stand out. He knows the streets of Edinburgh and he portrays the gritty, seedier side of this wonderful city like no other writer can.

This is a very complex plot and needs complete concentration, but with Rebus at the helm, concentration is pretty much guaranteed. As an avid reader of crime novels, I have to say that Rebus is probably my favourite character of them all. Another compelling read from this great author.

*Thank you to Netgalley & Orion for my ARC for which I have given a fair and honest review*
...more

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Jul 27, 2020 Phrynne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5000-2020

I find I am really enjoying retired Rebus. He just carries on as though he is still working but without any of the controls of higher management. Luckily of course he still has Siobhan and Fox to find information for him and occasionally wave a warrant card which he no longer has.

In this book Rebus is in poor health and waiting for the results of tests. Nothing however keeps his brain from working and he soon involves himself in researching a cold case which ends up linking with an ongoing one. ...more

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Jan 16, 2017 Diane S ☔ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

For John Rebus, retirement is only a word, a minor technicality, something to get around. This something he is very good at, using whatever means necessary. Despite his health, which at present is presenting a problem, he never fails to be enticed when a past unsolved case is brought to his attention. When the criminal bosses come out to play in present day, all nets are off. He is on a trail and with the aid of his friends Clarke and Fox, he is determined to pursue and get answers, especially w ...more

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Dec 08, 2016 Andrew Smith rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The title of this book is taken from a song written and performed by British singer John Martyn. Rankin is big on music and he populates his books with references to songs and song lyrics, perhaps to provide further insight into the personality (and age) of his characters. On this occasion, the use of this particular line is rather ambiguous given there are a quite few stand-out candidates for the ‘devil’ tag. It’s a complex tale of power and greed, albeit with the author’s usual measure of bone The title of this book is taken from a song written and performed by British singer John Martyn. Rankin is big on music and he populates his books with references to songs and song lyrics, perhaps to provide further insight into the personality (and age) of his characters. On this occasion, the use of this particular line is rather ambiguous given there are a quite few stand-out candidates for the ‘devil’ tag. It’s a complex tale of power and greed, albeit with the author’s usual measure of bone dry humour. Yes, Rebus is back, along with a rich cast of characters drawn from earlier books. Couldn’t be better; pour yourself a dram, pull up a chair and disappear once more into Edinburgh’s underbelly.

As the book begins we learn that John Rebus has retired from the force and is now suffering the consequences of a lifetime on the ciggies. He’s coughing up a storm and undergoing tests as a result of a shadow having being found on his lung. He’s also cut down on the booze. None of this has done wonders for his temperament, but he’s managed to talk friend and ex-colleague Siobhan Clarke into sneaking him the file on a cold case he’s retained an interest in. In 1978 an attractive socialite was murdered at the prestigious Caledonian Hotel, as she waited in her room for her lover. At that time musician Bruce Collier and his entourage were staying in adjacent rooms. Were they involved in any way? Well, the murder was never pinned on anyone and now Rebus fancies his chances of dusting off old records (excuse the pun) to work out whodunnit.

In this book the whole gang is here. Malcolm Fox, who started life in a separate series of books, has been transferred to the Scottish Crime Campus at Gartcosh, near Glasgow. He resents the daily commute but the move represents a significant step forward in his career. The fact he was was selected for this move irks the ambitious Siobhan and it’s put a temporary halt to their bourgeoning friendship. To rub salt in the wound, Fox is asked to spend some time back in Edinburgh where he’s to look into the possibility of a link between the murder of a nightclub bouncer and suspected money laundering activity involving a young crime boss – a certain Darryl Christie, who’ll be familiar to readers of the Rebus stories. And who’s in charge of the murder case? Siobhan Clarke, of course.

By this time, I’m casting my mind around to think who else Rankin is going to throw into the pot. Ah, that’ll be Gerald Cafferty, or ‘Big Ger’ as he’s known by Edinburgh police and criminals alike. Truth to tell, Big Ger is such an engaging wrongdoer that I’m always disappointed when he doesn’t turn up in these books. Yes, he has little time for moral principles and can be exceedingly violent but he makes up for this by being very quick with the lip. Whenever he’s on the page a smile is never far from my face.

Toss a missing banker into the equation and suffice to say it all gets very complicated from here. I had to concentrate hard to keep track of the various threads and, in fact, I eventually gave up on this endeavour and just savoured the richness of the prose and the brilliant, and often hilarious, interchanges between the various characters. It’s sad to see Rebus getting old and lacking the physical power of his early days, but at the same time it’s fascinating to see how he deals with this. He’s a brilliant fictional character, certainly amongst the finest I’ve come across. And in Malcolm Fox the author has developed an interesting foil for his main man. They’re not exactly firm friends (their mutual history dictates this) but they do share a smidgen of camaraderie. Enough of Fox’s back-story is now known for regular readers to understand what’s made him the man he is and he definitely adds some flavour of his own to this tale. And Siobhan Clarke is starting to come out of the huge shadow cast by Rebus to show us that she’s got a keen brain and a sharp tongue. I just wish that Rankin would fill in a few more blanks for her as, unlike Fox, little is known about her life outside of the job.

All in all, what we have here is another first rate crime story from Rankin replete with a cast of known and well loved characters doing what they do best. There’s a bit of social commentary thrown in for good measure – that’s the author’s way – and the closing scenes are exciting enough to blow away any cobwebs that may have developed from getting tied up in the innumerable plot lines. As a final bonus, there’s a little surprise at the end that’s certainly worth waiting for. This book can certainly be read as a stand alone crime fiction thriller but as this is the 21st book in this series, which features a veritable troop of returning friends and foes, I'd recommend readers work their way towards this one - all the better to appreciate the subtle interactions between characters to the full.

Time for another dram and a dig around in the loft for my dog-eared copy of the first Rebus book, me thinks. I might just start the series all over again. ...more

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Jul 24, 2018 James Thane rated it really liked it

Shelves: crime-fiction, ian-rankin, john-rebus

Edinburg detective John Rebus is officially retired and in the middle of a health scare. He's quit smoking and cut back on his drinking, but then a forty-year-old murder that was never solved captures his attention and he's off to the races again, even if he's not running quite as fast as he used to.

The victim was a beautiful married woman named Maria Turquand who had a date to meet her lover in a luxurious hotel. She was found strangled to death, but most of the obvious suspects had iron-clad a Edinburg detective John Rebus is officially retired and in the middle of a health scare. He's quit smoking and cut back on his drinking, but then a forty-year-old murder that was never solved captures his attention and he's off to the races again, even if he's not running quite as fast as he used to.

The victim was a beautiful married woman named Maria Turquand who had a date to meet her lover in a luxurious hotel. She was found strangled to death, but most of the obvious suspects had iron-clad alibis. Adding to the confusion was the fact that a famous rock star was staying at the hotel that day, and the place was a circus. In the end, there were too many possible suspects and too little evidence, and the case was never solved.

Rebus is recounting the mystery to his new lover over dinner one night in the restaurant of the hotel where the murder happened. This piques his curiosity and he starts digging into the old files on his own. No sooner does he do so, than someone close to the original crime is killed. Someone, it appears, would not like to see Maria's killer found.

At the same time Rebus begins digging into the Turquand case, an up and coming mobster named Darryl Christie is badly beaten outside his home. The case falls to Rebus's former understudy, Siobahn Clarke, and it appears that Rebus's old nemesis Big Ger Cafferty might have been involved. Rebus thus worms his was into Siobahn's investigation and is soon back on the job, albeit without a badge.

Finally, Rebus's adversary-turned grudging friend, Malcolm Fox, has received a big promotion and is working financial crimes. He's assigned to a money laundering investigation that appears to involve the aforementioned Darryl Christie. Almost immediately, his case is tied into Clarke's, and Rebus invites himself into that investigation as well.

The result is a very intricate but intriguing plot in which Rebus, Clarke and Fox combine forces in an effort to chase down any number of bad guys and resolve a number of complicated crimes. It's great fun watching them work together and the interaction among the three and their various targets is the highlight of the book. Rebus may be retired, but he still just keeps getting better and better. ...more

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Jun 15, 2018 Joey Woolfardis rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018, bookshelf, masculine, ce21, law-defying, champion, tartan

John Rebus is a copper through and through, and he most certainly cannot let go. Despite retirement and severe health problems, he still capers about like the best of them and he certainly can't stop himself going where he definitely shouldn't...

Ian Rankin and his creation John Rebus never disappoint. Not surprising, the length of time they have both been doing their respective jobs.

The thing that makes Rebus so different to-and better than-other detective, murder-mystery or crime thrillers is t ...more

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Dec 08, 2016 John Martin rated it it was amazing

I never miss a Rebus book. I think he's become even more interesting in retirement. He's a bit like a dog with a bone. I marvel at the way Ian rankin builds character and uses POV. The story is gritty but there is lots of light to go with the dark.
...more

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Dec 18, 2020 Rob rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-reads, scottish-authors, serial-thrillers

Book 21 in the Rebus series published 2016.

An easy 4**** stars.

John Rebus might be getting a bit long in the tooth and his health might be in decline and he is no longer on the force but he still can’t help getting involved.

There are five principle characters Rebus, Siobhan Clarke and Malcolm Fox all on the side of law and order the other two are Big Ger Cafferty and Darryl Christie who are most definitely not on the side of law and order. As different as they all are they all have one thing in ...more

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Jan 09, 2020 Barbara rated it liked it

In this 21st book in the 'Inspector Rebus' series, the detective is retired, but still manages to investigate cases. The book can be read as a standalone, but knowledge of the characters is advantageous.

*****

Retired Scottish detective John Rebus is in his sixties, suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and a bit overweight.

Rebus's girlfriend, police pathologist Deborah Quant, is encouraging the detective to give up cigarettes and cut down on beer, and Rebus is trying.....f ...more

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Oct 09, 2016 Liz Barnsley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: received-from-publisher, bloody-marvellous, highly-recommended

I was a late arrival to the novels of Ian Rankin, it is probably only the last few years I've been reading them avidly, despite the longevity of the series, but hey I'm all caught up now and being late to the party is better than never arriving at all.

The thing with the Rebus series and the writing of Ian Rankin is that it is totally insidious in its creativity - you kind of get hooked without realising you ARE hooked until the next book comes along and you devour it with all the ferocity of a t I was a late arrival to the novels of Ian Rankin, it is probably only the last few years I've been reading them avidly, despite the longevity of the series, but hey I'm all caught up now and being late to the party is better than never arriving at all.

The thing with the Rebus series and the writing of Ian Rankin is that it is totally insidious in its creativity - you kind of get hooked without realising you ARE hooked until the next book comes along and you devour it with all the ferocity of a true believer. Well ok maybe thats just me...

Anyway astonishingly this is Rebus 21 and whilst he's not as young as he used to be he is just as tenacious and entirely adorable (ok maybe adorable is not QUITE the right word but its what I've got at the moment) I'm also rather fond and growing fonder of Malcolm Fox - so realistically this novel was always going to be one I was likely to enjoy.

And enjoy it I did - I see no need to go into huge depth on the story, thats what the reading of it is for, but suffice to say the authors trademark dark and devious plotting is out in full force, the characters live and breathe (I'm not sure how bad it is that I often end up feeling rather sympathetic towards the "bad" guys ) and Rebus despite having some fairly troubling personal distractions and not being officially anything, still goes after his man. Or woman. Or any poor soul doing their due diligence when trying to get away with murder.

Entirely brilliant writing, these will endure because they are kind of timeless even as they keep up with the times. Each one is a fully immersive experience and rather than lessening in impact or quality they just grow in both those things.

I'll be sorry when Rebus inevitably has to head for the hills, but the world Ian Rankin has created here, in setting, authenticity and background won't be going anywhere anytime soon, there are I'm sure a lot more stories to tell. And Rebus, the old dog, has quite a lot of life in him yet I'd say...

Highly Recommended.

From first book to last.

...more

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Apr 26, 2017 Michael Robotham rated it really liked it

I loved the personnel and philosophical elements of this story with Rebus pondering the nature of life, death and growing old. The plot I found convoluted with too many characters and strands to follow. Saying that, Ian Rankin is always readable.

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Jan 30, 2017 Bettie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: published-2016, mystery-thriller, britain-scotland, series, bedside, winter-20162017, paper-read, hardback, scotland-edinburgh, tbr-busting-2017

Opening: Rebus placed his knife and fork on the empty plate, then leaned back in his chair, studying the other diners in the restaurant.
'Somebody was murdered here, you know,' he announced.

A resurgent Big Ger Cafferty means there is sure to be a further book...

3* Knots and Crosses (Inspector Rebus, #1)
3* Hide and Seek (Inspector Rebus, #2)
4* Tooth and Nail (Inspector Rebus, #3)
3* Strip Jack (Inspector Rebus, #4)
3* The Black Book (Inspector Rebus, #5)
3* Mortal Causes (Inspector Rebus, #6)
3* Let I ...more

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Jan 11, 2017 Carol - Reading Writing and Riesling rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own

Can this author get any better??? Fabulous read!!

My View:

Its Not You – It’s Me ? :)

Is it me or does anyone else think that there has been a subtle shift/metamorphosis in writing style in Ian Rankin’s Rebus series? I have been with this writer since the start - Knots and Crosses and whilst I have enjoyed all the books in this series since about the time of Exit Music I have not only enjoyed but I have become fully engaged in the narrative and the life of Rebus, Siobhan and even Big Ger. Has “ret ...more

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Jun 20, 2017 Lewis Weinstein rated it it was ok

Shelves: crime-and-thrillers

I have read and enjoyed many of the Rebus books. Not this one. For whatever reason, I couldn't follow the story. Many characters. Inadequate transitions. Confusing plot. Actually no plot, up to the point I stopped reading (about 125 pages). ...more

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Jan 02, 2017 Susan Johnson rated it really liked it

Shelves: net-galley

There can't be a better setting for an intelligent mystery than Edinburgh and when you toss in John Rebus, you've got a book you simply can't put down. It doesn't matter that Rebus is retired because there's not a place he can't get into, retired or not. Throw in Malcom Fox reassigned to Gartcosh but in the thick of this investigation and you've got a book to sink your teeth into.

This one starts with Rebus looking into a cold case, the murder of Maria Turquand 40 years ago. This is the most di ...more

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Mar 20, 2016 Stefani Sloma added it

I will never NOT read an Ian Rankin book.

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Nov 05, 2016 Sandy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: british-cops, series, noir-ish, crime, police-procedural, suspense, detectives, contemporary-fiction, favourite-authors, british-authors

I've been reading this series since 1987 (I know what you're thinking....odd choice for a 5 year old ; -) & can't imagine not getting my annual shot of Rebus. The characters have become living, breathing people & it's like catching up on the news with old friends.

This one finds Rebus retired & facing a health scare. Mind you, the fact he no longer gets a pay cheque doesn't stop him from showing up for work. The way he sees it, as long as Big Ger McCafferty is walking around, it's his job to be t ...more

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Apr 06, 2017 Amanda Patterson rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I feel as if I've known John Rebus forever, and I suppose I have. I've read all 21 books in the series to date, and I'll read any more Ian Rankin writes.

Rebus has a steady girlfriend, has stopped smoking, and drinking (mostly), and he is supposed to be retired. When Darryl Christie, Edinburgh's crime boss, is attacked, the police think Rebus's old foe Big Ger Cafferty might be involved.

Rebus is also trying to solve an old murder. With time on his hands, the death of the beautiful, promiscuous Ma ...more

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Apr 03, 2017 Leah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017, scottish-fiction, crime

Hail! Hail! The gang's all here!

While Rebus is having dinner with his long-term girlfriend, forensic pathologist Deborah Quant, in the Caledonian Hotel, he tells her of a murder that took place there years ago, when a famous rock star and his entourage were staying in the hotel – a woman who, it appeared, was probably murdered by her lover, except that the lover had an alibi. The murder was never solved and, as he tells the story, Rebus's interest in it revives. Time for a little amateur sleuthi Hail! Hail! The gang's all here!

While Rebus is having dinner with his long-term girlfriend, forensic pathologist Deborah Quant, in the Caledonian Hotel, he tells her of a murder that took place there years ago, when a famous rock star and his entourage were staying in the hotel – a woman who, it appeared, was probably murdered by her lover, except that the lover had an alibi. The murder was never solved and, as he tells the story, Rebus's interest in it revives. Time for a little amateur sleuthing! Meantime, gangster Darryl Christie has been beaten up and Siobhan is on the case. The obvious suspect is Big Ger Cafferty, the older gangster whom Darryl has pushed aside, but Cafferty hints to Rebus that there's a Russian connection. (No, fear not, Comrade Trump isn't in it!) Malcolm Fox has been moved to the Specialist Crime Division in Gartcosh. They are quietly looking into some of Darryl's business interests and reckon the investigation into his beating will be a good opportunity to nose around his affairs, so Malcolm is sent back through to Edinburgh to liaise with Siobhan. And so the scene is set for another full-cast outing, all the detectives and gangsters gathered together one more time.

Rebus is up there at the top of my list of favourite detectives, and Ian Rankin can really do no wrong in my eyes. As always, the plotting is great, with the various strands crossing and interconnecting. The old murder story is a traditional whodunit, where alibis and motives are key, while the gangster story allows for plenty of action and a good, believable thriller ending. There's lots of room for the regulars to interact with each other, which is always one of the major joys of the books – tension between Siobhan and Malcolm because she's jealous of his move to Gartcosh, concern over Rebus's health as he undergoes some tests, and Rebus and Big Ger continuing their roles as the elder statesmen of policing and crime, running rings around the young'uns as usual.

However, in truth, I couldn't help but notice that there are a good deal of similarities to the last book. The rivalry among Darryl, Big Ger and their Glasgow counterpart, Joe Stark, has been rumbling through a few books now, and shows no signs of coming to a conclusion. In retirement, it's harder to create reasons for Rebus to be involved, and the excuse of Big Ger only being willing to deal with him is becoming a little worn. I hate to say it because I love the old man so much, but I think it's time to let Rebus go and allow Siobhan and Malcolm to take over as the lead characters. Either that, or Rankin should break his own rule and take us back in time to revisit Rebus as a younger man, when he was still on the force. That's not to suggest I didn't enjoy this one – I did, thoroughly, and I'm sure other Rebus fans will too. But this and the last one have felt like encores, given as a treat to those who've watched the whole show and want a little bit more. And I think it would be better if Rebus left the stage while the audience is still applauding.

I listened to the Audible audiobook version of this, narrated by James Macpherson whom some of you will remember as Chief Inspector Michael Jardine in the long-running STV series, Taggart. I'd listened to him narrate Rebus before, in the short story collection The Beat Goes On, so knew he'd be good. But actually he's even better in this one – the length allows him to create different personalities for all the characters, and his range of Scottish accents and voices is fabulous. From posh Morningside gents to wee Glesca nyaffs, he can do them all brilliantly! He has a real understanding of the recurring characters, so his interpretation never jars. And his timing for the humour is perfect – he often made me laugh out loud. I heartily recommend his readings to any Rebus fans out there – I can't imagine a better narrator for them, and fully intend to back track and listen to his readings of some of the older books.

For anyone coming new to the series, I'd definitely recommend starting much further back – this one depends to a large extent on familiarity with all the relationships amongst the regulars. But for existing Rebus fans, another thoroughly enjoyable book. Rankin writing and Macpherson narrating are a dream team – pure pleasure! Highly recommended.

www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com ...more

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Feb 04, 2017 Ellie rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, british, first-reads, 2017indchallenge, mystery

John Rebus is back, getting older and ill with a "suspicious shadow" on his lung but still clever in his somewhat shady way. Retiring from the force has hardly slowed down his investigations, at least as seen in this story. With few scruples, he searches for old murderers as well as new ones. Rather Be the Devil is a first rate mystery that is full of twists and turns and mixes the old murder (of a beautiful, promiscuous woman) with some new ones. All the victims, though, are criminals and no on ...more

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Oct 14, 2018 Ellen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery-detective-rebus, rankin, my-favorites

Rather Be the Devil (Inspector Rebus, #21) by Ian Rankin.

It's been so comfortable getting to spend time with my old friend Rebus. This story was no exception to that rule. This time we find rebus dealing with some health issues, some serious (?) health issues. The smoking and drinking is being dealt with accordingly. This time his maladies can no longer be swept under the rug.
Rebus is no longer a main stay at the precinct. Retirement isn't coming easy to this long time detective. Detecting is i ...more

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Dec 15, 2016 Manuel Antão rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016

If you're into stuff like this, you can read the full review.

Rebus is Still Alive and Kicking: "Rather Be the Devil" by Ian Rankin

Judging by this single book, Rankin is a journeyman writer who is good at both character and plot. His main man is a police detective named John Rebus, who is, in the cliched-hallowed literary tradition of crime fiction, a pensioner with no straight arrow boss to bust his chops. There is the further cliched-hallowed implication that he has two sidekicks, Fox and Clark ...more

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Mar 30, 2017 Kiwi Begs2Differ ✎ rated it it was ok

Shelves: mystery, thriller-horror

Rebus is a retired Scottish detective, unwell and bored, he takes an interest in an Edinburgh cold case. His investigation of a well-known woman found murdered in a hotel room is muddled by too many story lines (view spoiler) and a distracting myriad of characters. Due to the popularity of the series, I was hoping for something better. This is my first Ian Rankin’s mystery and I’m not sure ...more

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Oct 21, 2016 Rob Twinem rated it really liked it · review of another edition

There's life in the old Rebus yet! For an avid crime reader one of the greatest fictional characters to have emerged in almost 30 years is undoubtedly John Rebus. In so many ways he is the archetypal detective. He plays the game of cops and robbers under his rules and is not adverse to a little underhand dealing if it means a successful outcome to the criminal case. A divorced loner he has always lived a solitary existence at his flat in Arden Street Marchmont, surrounded by his memories and a There's life in the old Rebus yet! For an avid crime reader one of the greatest fictional characters to have emerged in almost 30 years is undoubtedly John Rebus. In so many ways he is the archetypal detective. He plays the game of cops and robbers under his rules and is not adverse to a little underhand dealing if it means a successful outcome to the criminal case. A divorced loner he has always lived a solitary existence at his flat in Arden Street Marchmont, surrounded by his memories and a vast LP collection (no modern cd's here) overpopulated by Bob Dylan, Jethro Tull, John Martyn and Van Morrison....to name but a few. Since the publication of Knots and Crosses in 1987 the personification and emergence of John Rebus as a "reality" rather than a writers creation has become blurred and for most Rankin fans he is a living breathing legend.

Rather be the Devil sees a retired JR doing what he does best, refusing to give into the inevitable pull of retirement, having been assigned to a cold case; the murder of Maria Turquand some 40 years previously. All the familiar characters are there; old time crime boss Big Ger Cafferty and the attractive career driven DI Siobhan Clarke. She has never doubted the great analytical and solving ability of our hero but has grave misgivings over his methodology, manners and approach to bringing a killer to justice. Clarke meantime is involved in solving a vicious attack on a young crime pretender Darryl Christie who appears to be at the heart of a money laundering scheme....soon to come to the attention of Cafferty.

It is however the characters, language and humour of modern day Edinburgh that is the real winner rather than the plot and storyline, from the past and present, which at times is a little confusing. There is also an inevitability and concern about the fate of John Rebus and the questioning of Rankin's writing in an attempt to discern how our great detective might finally make an exit...."He'd had a coughing fit in the toilet five minutes back, hawking gobbets into the sink then running the tap, rinsing away the evidence before dabbing sweat from his brow while thinking that next time maybe he'd remember to bring his inhaler. His face in the mirror told its own story, with little to indicate that the ending would be happy."

The interplay between Rebus and the characters and suspects he meets during the course of his investigation is always a joy and a pleasure to behold showcasing the crisp and delightful writing skills of Mr Rankin....."Thought you'd been put out to pasture? I'm here for a bit of a graze, Rebus replied"........"Tea or coffee? Then, to Fox specifically: And how do you take it? Without Saliva, preferably."........."You snatched some of my business cards, Fox said eventually. Of course I did- sometimes people need to think they're talking to a cop. But they're not, John, and impersonating a police officer is an offence. I know guys who spent their whole lives on the force doing not much more than impersonating cops."

Rather be the Devil once again proves that even in retirement there is still great mileage and stories to be had from the pen of Ian Rankin and the stubborn inquiring mind of John Rebus. It will be a sad day when our great detective finally brings to an end his long and colourful career a time of great lament and perhaps in Scotland a day of national mourning! ...more

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Nov 20, 2016 Bill Lynas rated it it was amazing

Ian Rankin's marvellous creation John Rebus returns in a well plotted story, with believable characters & more Scottish gallows humour. This time an unsolved murder case from the past concerns Rebus & he's also worried about Hank Marvin.......older readers (like myself) will get this reference when they read the book, but no spoilers here. It's funny how the last few pages of a book can turn a four star review into a five star one. ...more

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Mar 24, 2017 Kathy Davie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery-detective

Twenty-first in the Inspector Rebus detective mystery series and revolving around a supposedly retired Rebus in Edinburgh, Scotland.

My Take
That Rebus is twisting his way through Rather Be the Devil. Not a cop anymore, he still manages to worm his way in and through, dealing with the power and corruption of both police and criminals. Spilling and keeping secrets, taking the piss out of everyone, and going up against rival criminals.

There's a detachment in this, partly due to the third-person poin ...more

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Nov 22, 2016 Sharon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: purchased, pre-ordered, ibook

Such pleasure reading everything I can find by Ian Rankin for decades now and this 21st Rebus has been pure pleasure. Like spending time with old friends with Rebus and his colleagues in beautiful Edinburgh with new cases inter working with cold cases. Rankin does the connection between the then and now so well. Giving an aging Rebus still his just run and place, interacting with the players in the city vying for power. While giving his colleagues their just time. Total good read. As always.

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Nov 16, 2016 Eric rated it really liked it

When I read a book review, to me, I find there are two types - one - which I rarely do myself - is a deep analysis of the book, while the other is a bare bones description that gives a brief 'what is the book about' and 'is it worth one's time to read.'

Well, in this installment of Ian Rankin's John Rebus series, yes, this is a good book and is worth one's time to read.

Rebus is now retired and still meddling in police investigations. In this novel he gets pulled into the investigation of a cold ...more

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Mar 04, 2017 Joan rated it liked it

As always, I enjoyed being back in the company of John Rebus and Malcolm Fox. I didn't care for the subplot of this one, however -- the Maria Turquand story. I found it hard to follow, and I didn't see why Rankin created the very large number of subplot characters that he did, because it seemed as though the Turquand story could have been told much more simply.
...more

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About Ian Rankin

Ian Rankin

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AKA Jack Harvey.

Born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960, Ian Rankin graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982 and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Literature. His first Rebus novel was published in 1987; the Rebus books are now translated into 22 languages and are bestsellers on several continents.

Ian Rankin has been elected a ...more

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Quotes from Rather Be the Devil

“I've just worked out what the music on the speakers is," he said. "It's John Martyn, Over The Hill."
"And ?"
"And nothing. It's just, maybe I'm not there yet.” — 5 likes

“There were always dog walkers out & about. Sometimes they even stopped for a chat while the various mutts inspected each other. Rebus would be asked how old his dog was.
No idea.
The breed, then ?
Mongrel.
And all the while, he would be thinking about cigarettes.” — 1 likes

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