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Inspector Rebus #12
The Falls
When a young woman goes missing near his native Edinburgh, Scotland, Rebus finds himself just one small cog in the huge wheel of an inquiry set in motion by her powerfully rich father. Struggling to deal with both his own often-terrifying inner demons as well as the monstrous bureaucracy of the investigative team, Rebus finds himself drawn again and again into the case, desperately searching for the girl's salvation, as well as his own.
In time Rebus uncovers two leads: one, a carved wooden doll stuffed tightly into a tiny casket, and the other the missing girl's possible involvement in a dark, disturbing Internet-based role-playing game. He enlists the help of the tech-savvy DC Siobhan Clarke, who is young enough to know her way around the net, but who may not be old and wise enough to avoid potentially deadly pitfalls and traps. Meanwhile, Rebus tracks down stories of similar caskets and dolls turning up in the area deep into Edinburgh's past, some stretching back to a time when body-snatchers turned into brutal killers.
As Rebus and Clarke delve deeper and deeper into these perilous and obscure worlds, ancient and modern evils begin to converge and soon Rebus finds he's besieged by an impenetrable mass of secrets, lies, and deadly deceit that only he can make sense of.
In time Rebus uncovers two leads: one, a carved wooden doll stuffed tightly into a tiny casket, and the other the missing girl's possible involvement in a dark, disturbing Internet-based role-playing game. He enlists the help of the tech-savvy DC Siobhan Clarke, who is young enough to know her way around the net, but who may not be old and wise enough to avoid potentially deadly pitfalls and traps. Meanwhile, Rebus tracks down stories of similar caskets and dolls turning up in the area deep into Edinburgh's past, some stretching back to a time when body-snatchers turned into brutal killers.
As Rebus and Clarke delve deeper and deeper into these perilous and obscure worlds, ancient and modern evils begin to converge and soon Rebus finds he's besieged by an impenetrable mass of secrets, lies, and deadly deceit that only he can make sense of.
479 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
About the author
Ian Rankin
317 books6,243 followersAKA 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 Hawthornden Fellow. He is also a past winner of the Chandler-Fulbright Award, and he received two Dagger Awards for the year's best short story and the Gold Dagger for Fiction. Ian Rankin is also the recipient of honorary degrees from the universities of Abertay, St Andrews, and Edinburgh.
A contributor to BBC2's Newsnight Review, he also presented his own TV series, Ian Rankin's Evil Thoughts, on Channel 4 in 2002. He recently received the OBE for services to literature, and opted to receive the prize in his home city of Edinburgh, where he lives with his partner and two sons.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ianrankin
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 Hawthornden Fellow. He is also a past winner of the Chandler-Fulbright Award, and he received two Dagger Awards for the year's best short story and the Gold Dagger for Fiction. Ian Rankin is also the recipient of honorary degrees from the universities of Abertay, St Andrews, and Edinburgh.
A contributor to BBC2's Newsnight Review, he also presented his own TV series, Ian Rankin's Evil Thoughts, on Channel 4 in 2002. He recently received the OBE for services to literature, and opted to receive the prize in his home city of Edinburgh, where he lives with his partner and two sons.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ianrankin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 630 reviews
May 28, 2023
The twelfth book in the Rebus series, yet the quality remains. Outstandingly consistent. Although the main case is interesting and requires believable and interesting detective work, it is the wonderful characterisations of the cast that stands out. Some on the force are retiring, others are being promoted and more significantly, the highly compelling descriptions of police 'office politics', with power, gender and personality clashes abounding. I know that I emphasize this every time I read a Rebus book, but it really appears to be the only truly consistently good detective series. 7 out of 12, Three Star read.
2010 read
2010 read
February 21, 2020
This is one of these series that give the illusion of extraordinary depth. That's because the characters, including the main character DI Rebus are meshed as one with the story. The people in this book are also meshed with their place of work.
Here Gill Templer has taken over the rein as chief from her former boss, The Farmer. Gill was the ex girlfriend of John Rebus, if a one night stand can be alluded to that. She is prickly towards Rebus as she well knows that he is a loose cannon. They clash in spectacular fashion. If this were a romance book, Gill and Rebus would engage in hot fiery, tearing, reconciliation sex. But it's not, so let's move on, shall we?
Basically there are two serial killers, one in the present, one in the past. The present one is imitating the modus operandi of his/her predecessor. Rebus hooks up with Gill's friend Jean and the latter has a role in the climax of the book.
Compared to the other books in the series, this one has the most "cliffhangery" action. There is another female Detective, Ellen who John has saved in fine Tom Sawyer style. They combine their efforts to arrive just in time to save Jean and nail the killer.
Oh I nearly forgot Siobhan, ex flame and current collaborator of Rebus. She nabs the present killer just as Rebus nabs the past killer. Siobhan arrives at her successful deduction through a series of computer games. As you can see, it's possible to talk at length about the book without revealing spoilers. That's because there are a lot of threads in the book, which is why it's so highly rated by me. Take it from me, this one deserves to be read.
Here Gill Templer has taken over the rein as chief from her former boss, The Farmer. Gill was the ex girlfriend of John Rebus, if a one night stand can be alluded to that. She is prickly towards Rebus as she well knows that he is a loose cannon. They clash in spectacular fashion. If this were a romance book, Gill and Rebus would engage in hot fiery, tearing, reconciliation sex. But it's not, so let's move on, shall we?
Basically there are two serial killers, one in the present, one in the past. The present one is imitating the modus operandi of his/her predecessor. Rebus hooks up with Gill's friend Jean and the latter has a role in the climax of the book.
Compared to the other books in the series, this one has the most "cliffhangery" action. There is another female Detective, Ellen who John has saved in fine Tom Sawyer style. They combine their efforts to arrive just in time to save Jean and nail the killer.
Oh I nearly forgot Siobhan, ex flame and current collaborator of Rebus. She nabs the present killer just as Rebus nabs the past killer. Siobhan arrives at her successful deduction through a series of computer games. As you can see, it's possible to talk at length about the book without revealing spoilers. That's because there are a lot of threads in the book, which is why it's so highly rated by me. Take it from me, this one deserves to be read.
April 14, 2021
This one is long, twisted and involved, and probably best read after you have read others from earlier in the series and have come to know the characters. It is good though, very, very good in fact.
Rebus is still dealing with his demons, usually with the aid of something from a bottle, but he never lets the alcohol get in the way of his analytical mind and his success at searching out the killers. He is a loner at work and often criticised for not sharing with his team, yet they still follow his lead. In The Falls his close off sider, Siobhan, starts to copy his methods and goes out on a limb, an action which nearly goes badly wrong for her.
This is a book which requires the whole of the reader's attention as it pursues a number of different story lines, which run parallel and do not always seem to be related. Even Rebus doubts the relevance of all of them from time to time. In the end though the story becomes bigger than you expect with some surprises tucked in.
I really enjoy the character of Rebus and I love watching his mind at work. I also like his devil may care attitude. His singular lack of respect for authority - surely not the best characteristic for a policeman - is often very amusing. A great series in all and I still have plenty left to read.
Rebus is still dealing with his demons, usually with the aid of something from a bottle, but he never lets the alcohol get in the way of his analytical mind and his success at searching out the killers. He is a loner at work and often criticised for not sharing with his team, yet they still follow his lead. In The Falls his close off sider, Siobhan, starts to copy his methods and goes out on a limb, an action which nearly goes badly wrong for her.
This is a book which requires the whole of the reader's attention as it pursues a number of different story lines, which run parallel and do not always seem to be related. Even Rebus doubts the relevance of all of them from time to time. In the end though the story becomes bigger than you expect with some surprises tucked in.
I really enjoy the character of Rebus and I love watching his mind at work. I also like his devil may care attitude. His singular lack of respect for authority - surely not the best characteristic for a policeman - is often very amusing. A great series in all and I still have plenty left to read.
July 8, 2017
A terrific cop thriller full of Scottish heart
The only other Rebus book I’ve read is the first in the series, Knots and Crosses. I gave it a three star rating at the time and said that I wouldn’t be reading further into the series. That was unfair of me because a) the first book in these types of series are most always the worst and b) The Falls was awesome.
Story
The story focuses one a ‘missing pers’ (person) and a cryptic online game, run by the ‘quizmaster’. It is nicely done from beginning to end and the clues the quizmaster presents are clever and require the team to work together to solve them.
Characters
The story focuses on Rebus (obviously) and Siobhan. Rebus is a very realistic character and Rankin shows his humour and emotional side alongside the copper within him. Rankin presents Rebus as a character with flaws which makes him all the more lovable.
The other characters are all very believable and add a lot to the story.
Writing
Jumping from the first book in the series to the twelfth, I was able to see the huge improvements that Rankin has made in his writing and the pacing of the novel. It has much more character.
Similar to Welsh, Rankin paints a very realistic picture of Edinburgh.
Notable issues
James MacPherson, the audiobook narrator isn’t the best. I think they could find someone who delivers with more impact. He is perfect for the dialogue and humorous moments, but you want someone who can carry the action scenes.
Final thought
I’ll be reading more of the series!
The only other Rebus book I’ve read is the first in the series, Knots and Crosses. I gave it a three star rating at the time and said that I wouldn’t be reading further into the series. That was unfair of me because a) the first book in these types of series are most always the worst and b) The Falls was awesome.
Story
The story focuses one a ‘missing pers’ (person) and a cryptic online game, run by the ‘quizmaster’. It is nicely done from beginning to end and the clues the quizmaster presents are clever and require the team to work together to solve them.
Characters
The story focuses on Rebus (obviously) and Siobhan. Rebus is a very realistic character and Rankin shows his humour and emotional side alongside the copper within him. Rankin presents Rebus as a character with flaws which makes him all the more lovable.
The other characters are all very believable and add a lot to the story.
Writing
Jumping from the first book in the series to the twelfth, I was able to see the huge improvements that Rankin has made in his writing and the pacing of the novel. It has much more character.
Similar to Welsh, Rankin paints a very realistic picture of Edinburgh.
Notable issues
James MacPherson, the audiobook narrator isn’t the best. I think they could find someone who delivers with more impact. He is perfect for the dialogue and humorous moments, but you want someone who can carry the action scenes.
Final thought
I’ll be reading more of the series!
January 18, 2018
The Falls by Ian Rankin.
One of the BEST in the Rebus series if not THE BEST.
A young woman from an affluent family in Edinburgh has gone missing. Phillipa Balfour (Flip) has become a possible abduction at St. Leonard's and finding her ASAP is imperative.
Rebus has become quite interested in tiny coffins being found at strategic locations. Locations where the bodies of other women have been discovered. DC Siobhan Clarke has another idea in her quest to locate the missing girl. It seems Flip has been engaged in an internet game of sorts. A game led by the quiz master. Who that person is and where that game led Flip is to be uncovered.
This was fathoms deep in each characters life and the puzzle to discover the missing girl added so much to the story. Excellent reading -putting Rebus at the top of my list after Morse.
The only wish I have is that the author divide each chapter into several chapters.
One of the BEST in the Rebus series if not THE BEST.
A young woman from an affluent family in Edinburgh has gone missing. Phillipa Balfour (Flip) has become a possible abduction at St. Leonard's and finding her ASAP is imperative.
Rebus has become quite interested in tiny coffins being found at strategic locations. Locations where the bodies of other women have been discovered. DC Siobhan Clarke has another idea in her quest to locate the missing girl. It seems Flip has been engaged in an internet game of sorts. A game led by the quiz master. Who that person is and where that game led Flip is to be uncovered.
This was fathoms deep in each characters life and the puzzle to discover the missing girl added so much to the story. Excellent reading -putting Rebus at the top of my list after Morse.
The only wish I have is that the author divide each chapter into several chapters.
May 26, 2017
I missed Rebus and the whole atmosphere of Ian Rankin's Edinburgh. The crime is a mixture of internet, role playing games, quizzes and the Rich and affluent citizens of Edinburgh.
The falls is the seat of the Balfour family, and their daughter Philippa 'Flip' Balfour goes missing and Rebus and his colleagues are trying to find what happened to her.
I enjoy the familiarity of the setting, the recurring characters in this twelfth novel in the series.
The falls is the seat of the Balfour family, and their daughter Philippa 'Flip' Balfour goes missing and Rebus and his colleagues are trying to find what happened to her.
I enjoy the familiarity of the setting, the recurring characters in this twelfth novel in the series.
July 31, 2022
Μια απίστευτη ιστορία που εξελίσσεται στο Εδιμβούργο. Ο γνωστός αστυνομικός Τζον Ρέμπους θα αναλάβει με τους συναδέλφους του να βρουν τον δράστη της κοπέλας. Πιο πολύ αποκτά ενδιαφέρον από την μέση και μετά του βιβλίου. Επίσης, μου αρέσει η συχνή αναφορά σε δρόμους και περιοχές της Σκωτίας. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 30, 2016
This didn’t work out for me. I figured I could get a good introduction to this series with this audiobook version, which has all the high quality production values you would expect from a BBC radio presentation. It does project you into the dialogues and settings with a lot of atmospheric sounds, but I found the approach distracting. I learn that audiobooks work better at emulating the reading experience without trying to become a poor-man’s TV version. Also, I learned this was a condensed version, so God knows what I missed.
The case of a missing daughter of an investment banker has Inspector John Rebus and his eager, young female partner, Siobhan, working themselves to exhaustion from the smallest of clues about her life. When the body is found, a miniature coffin with a doll in it is a concrete clue, but quite baffling. Contacts with his partner on a computer gaming site by the “Quizmaster” provides another line of clues in the form of riddles. Naturally, a body is found, then more, and the coffins multiply. I am not fond of plots involving cat-and-mouse scenarios with a twisted trickster as the murderer. That was done well long ago with “The Deaf Man” nemesis in Ed McBain’s 87th Street Precinct series. And so many other tales from Sherlock Holmes to James Patterson. With a writer like Nesbo the pathology behind the criminal mind becomes a fascinating focus, but that is not the case here.
On the other hand, I did appreciate the Edinburgh setting and getting engaged with Rebus’ character. He is warm and dedicated with an ironic and jaded perspective on the base motivations and stupidity of many colleagues in the police force. He has a great dynamic with his bright young partner, and you root for him to overcome his loneliness in the face of his failed love relationships and sense of getting old. I’ll have to give the series another chance
The case of a missing daughter of an investment banker has Inspector John Rebus and his eager, young female partner, Siobhan, working themselves to exhaustion from the smallest of clues about her life. When the body is found, a miniature coffin with a doll in it is a concrete clue, but quite baffling. Contacts with his partner on a computer gaming site by the “Quizmaster” provides another line of clues in the form of riddles. Naturally, a body is found, then more, and the coffins multiply. I am not fond of plots involving cat-and-mouse scenarios with a twisted trickster as the murderer. That was done well long ago with “The Deaf Man” nemesis in Ed McBain’s 87th Street Precinct series. And so many other tales from Sherlock Holmes to James Patterson. With a writer like Nesbo the pathology behind the criminal mind becomes a fascinating focus, but that is not the case here.
On the other hand, I did appreciate the Edinburgh setting and getting engaged with Rebus’ character. He is warm and dedicated with an ironic and jaded perspective on the base motivations and stupidity of many colleagues in the police force. He has a great dynamic with his bright young partner, and you root for him to overcome his loneliness in the face of his failed love relationships and sense of getting old. I’ll have to give the series another chance
December 11, 2022
A great entertaining read. Rebus is investigating a mussing person and thinks he may have stumbled across a serial killer. He finds a link with small coffins left near locations people have disappeared and some found dead. Lots of Edinburgh locations with Arthurs Seat and the city.
In this story Siobhan is on the track of the Quizmaster. A mysterious person leaving clues which dovetail into the missing person investigation. She becomes obsessed with the clues and is also trying to decide what sort of police officer she wants to be.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Of course the missing person turns into a murder case with no shortage of suspects. Rebus also finds a new romantic interest. Jean is a historian who provides background and information on the small coffins.
Who is the murderer?The creepy retired pathologist Dr Devlin, the violent boyfriend of the victim David Costello, the best friend of the father of the victim who slept with Phillipa, her friend Claire the trainee pathologist or the weird artist Ms Dobbs living by the place the small coffin was found. In fact there are two murderers.
In this story Siobhan is on the track of the Quizmaster. A mysterious person leaving clues which dovetail into the missing person investigation. She becomes obsessed with the clues and is also trying to decide what sort of police officer she wants to be.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Of course the missing person turns into a murder case with no shortage of suspects. Rebus also finds a new romantic interest. Jean is a historian who provides background and information on the small coffins.
Who is the murderer?The creepy retired pathologist Dr Devlin, the violent boyfriend of the victim David Costello, the best friend of the father of the victim who slept with Phillipa, her friend Claire the trainee pathologist or the weird artist Ms Dobbs living by the place the small coffin was found. In fact there are two murderers.
February 20, 2017
Βαθμολογία: ★★★
Από τα λιγότερο καλά του Rankin, αλλά αρκετά ενδιαφέρον! Η υπόθεση δεν είναι τόσο πολύπλοκη όσο συνήθως, αλλά μας συστήνει αρκετούς νέους χαρακτήρες (αστυνομικούς και μη) που πιστεύω θα ξαναδούμε στη συνέχεια. Επίσης, ξεκαρδιστικό το ότι εν έτει 2001 η Siobhan για να «τσεκάρει τα e-mail της» έπρεπε να συνδέσει το κινη��ό της με το laptop. Άσε που θα κόστισε ο κούκος αηδόνι!
Από τα λιγότερο καλά του Rankin, αλλά αρκετά ενδιαφέρον! Η υπόθεση δεν είναι τόσο πολύπλοκη όσο συνήθως, αλλά μας συστήνει αρκετούς νέους χαρακτήρες (αστυνομικούς και μη) που πιστεύω θα ξαναδούμε στη συνέχεια. Επίσης, ξεκαρδιστικό το ότι εν έτει 2001 η Siobhan για να «τσεκάρει τα e-mail της» έπρεπε να συνδέσει το κινη��ό της με το laptop. Άσε που θα κόστισε ο κούκος αηδόνι!
February 26, 2018
Ο Rankin έχει καταφέρει να με πωρώσει πάρα πολύ με τα βιβλία του. Δεν έχω ξαναδιαβάσει άλλο crime fiction συγγραφέα που να με τραβήξει τόσο πολύ. Καταφέρνει να με βάζει κάθε φορά τόσο πολύ μέσα στην υπόθεση και να μου κρατάει το ενδιαφέρον αμείωτ�� μέχρι το τέλος, λες και ζω την ιστορία.
Σίγουρα κάτι που απόλαυσα πολύ σε αυτό το βιβλίο, όπως και στα προηγούμενα του που έχω διαβάσει, είναι οι περιγραφές του για το Εδιμβούργο και τα πράγματα που έχω μάθει γι' αυτό από εποχές πριν το επισκεφτώ. Κάθε φορά που διαβάζω ένα βιβλίο του είναι λες και η πόλη ξαναζωντανεύει μπροστά μου και μπορώ να την αντιληφθώ με όλες μου τις αισθήσεις.
Επίσης σε αυτό το βιβλίο συμπάθησα αρκετά περισσότερο τον επιθεωρητή Ρέμπους, ο οποίος στο "Σκελετοί στο κελάρι" δε μου είχε φανεί απλά οκ. Η Σίβον είναι ένας χαρακτήρας που επίσης μου αρέσει αρκετά όπως και η αρχιεπιθεωτητής Τζιλ. Γενικά, όπως είχα γράψει και στην προηγούμενη κριτική μου, οι χαρακτήρες του Rankin είναι προσεγμένοι και φαίνεται να εξελίσσονται.
Όσο για την υπόθεση αυτή καθ' αυτή έχει πολύ ενδιαφέρον η εξέλιξη της, η οποία αν και στην αρχή είναι κάπως αργή, λόγω έλλειψης στοιχείων, στο τέλος έχει μια πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα ανατροπή. Παρ' όλα αυτά δεν ξέρω κατά πόσο ευχαριστημένη είμαι με το ποιος είναι τελικά ο δράστης.
ΥΓ: Ελπίζω να ψοφήσει ο Στιβ Χόλι. Καιρό είχα να αντιπαθήσω δευτερεύον χαρακτήρα τόσο πολύ.
Σίγουρα κάτι που απόλαυσα πολύ σε αυτό το βιβλίο, όπως και στα προηγούμενα του που έχω διαβάσει, είναι οι περιγραφές του για το Εδιμβούργο και τα πράγματα που έχω μάθει γι' αυτό από εποχές πριν το επισκεφτώ. Κάθε φορά που διαβάζω ένα βιβλίο του είναι λες και η πόλη ξαναζωντανεύει μπροστά μου και μπορώ να την αντιληφθώ με όλες μου τις αισθήσεις.
Επίσης σε αυτό το βιβλίο συμπάθησα αρκετά περισσότερο τον επιθεωρητή Ρέμπους, ο οποίος στο "Σκελετοί στο κελάρι" δε μου είχε φανεί απλά οκ. Η Σίβον είναι ένας χαρακτήρας που επίσης μου αρέσει αρκετά όπως και η αρχιεπιθεωτητής Τζιλ. Γενικά, όπως είχα γράψει και στην προηγούμενη κριτική μου, οι χαρακτήρες του Rankin είναι προσεγμένοι και φαίνεται να εξελίσσονται.
Όσο για την υπόθεση αυτή καθ' αυτή έχει πολύ ενδιαφέρον η εξέλιξη της, η οποία αν και στην αρχή είναι κάπως αργή, λόγω έλλειψης στοιχείων, στο τέλος έχει μια πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα ανατροπή. Παρ' όλα αυτά δεν ξέρω κατά πόσο ευχαριστημένη είμαι με το ποιος είναι τελικά ο δράστης.
ΥΓ: Ελπίζω να ψοφήσει ο Στιβ Χόλι. Καιρό είχα να αντιπαθήσω δευτερεύον χαρακτήρα τόσο πολύ.
February 25, 2024
Τα αστυνομικά μυθιστορήματα δεν είναι το φόρτε μου. Τα επιλέγω όταν θέλω να χαλαρώσω. Προφανώς και υποσυνείδητα ή και συνειδητά τα υποτιμώ στο μυαλό μου σε σχέση με άλλα λογοτεχνικά ήδη.
Και πέφτω πάνω στο Ίαν. Αυτόν δηλαδή που με πήρε απ' το χέρι και μου έδειξε πως ένα αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα δεν είναι απαραίτητα και φτηνό. Γιατί μπορεί να το έχει γράψει ένας τύπος σαν αυτόν. Τον Ίαν τον Ράνκιν. Που επειδή τον έβρισκα σε κάτι pocket εκδόσεις, τον έκανα skip και πήγαινα παρακάτω.
Ο Ράνκιν λοιπόν είναι αυτός που δεν βιάζεται. Δεν τρέχει για να σε κάνει να αγωνιάς. Θα σου μιλήσει για μουσική. Θα σου γνωρίσει το Εδιμβούργο. Θα μάθεις ιστορία. Θα γνωρίσεις τους χαρακτήρες. Και μέσα απ'όλα αυτά θα προχωράει και η ιστορία.
Ήταν ο πρώτος μου Ράνκιν. Και ξαφνικά βρίσκομαι να ψάχνω τη χρονολογική σειρά έκδοσης όλων των βιβλίων με ήρωα τον Ρέμπους που πολύ φοβάμαι πως θα πρέπει να τα αναζητήσω ανάμεσα σε εξαντλημένες εκδόσεις.
Ξεκινάω έρευνα.
Και πέφτω πάνω στο Ίαν. Αυτόν δηλαδή που με πήρε απ' το χέρι και μου έδειξε πως ένα αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα δεν είναι απαραίτητα και φτηνό. Γιατί μπορεί να το έχει γράψει ένας τύπος σαν αυτόν. Τον Ίαν τον Ράνκιν. Που επειδή τον έβρισκα σε κάτι pocket εκδόσεις, τον έκανα skip και πήγαινα παρακάτω.
Ο Ράνκιν λοιπόν είναι αυτός που δεν βιάζεται. Δεν τρέχει για να σε κάνει να αγωνιάς. Θα σου μιλήσει για μουσική. Θα σου γνωρίσει το Εδιμβούργο. Θα μάθεις ιστορία. Θα γνωρίσεις τους χαρακτήρες. Και μέσα απ'όλα αυτά θα προχωράει και η ιστορία.
Ήταν ο πρώτος μου Ράνκιν. Και ξαφνικά βρίσκομαι να ψάχνω τη χρονολογική σειρά έκδοσης όλων των βιβλίων με ήρωα τον Ρέμπους που πολύ φοβάμαι πως θα πρέπει να τα αναζητήσω ανάμεσα σε εξαντλημένες εκδόσεις.
Ξεκινάω έρευνα.
August 8, 2016
Another great Rebus book, the mean moody and uncontrollable Scottish detective! Great storyline and characters once again, only what I expect from Ian Rankin. I would recommend this book.
November 23, 2014
It's been about a year since I read my last Rebus mystery and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to read the next, The Falls. I can't recall when I've more enjoyed a mystery. Rebus and the gang are involved trying to solve the disappearance of a young woman, the gang including Siobhan Clark, Ellen Wylie, and new boss, Gill Templer. Rebus is looking at his life, as always, trying to sell his flat, see a potential new lady friend, fend off Templer's attempts to make him see a doctor, while investigating the disappearance. He finds similarities to old cases and heads down past byways, while Siobhan is investigating a computer - based role-playing game that the missing girl was involved with, meaning involvement with a cryptic online 'Quizmaster'. The story was so well-crafted and presented and I just enjoyed getting involved with Rebus, his life and his friends. It's nice about these stories that Ian Ranking takes the time to develop the characters of those around Rebus and to get them deeply involved in the cases as well. Excellent and most enjoyable read.
December 31, 2012
Lots of good writing, with a strong emphasis on locale and character. John Rebus is one of my favorite characters in crime fiction. That said, I found the story predictable, and the ending was not a surprise. I'd even call it secondary if Rankin hadn't spent hundreds of convoluted pages trying to give the novel legs. The Falls is worth reading to see how Rankin continues to develop a wonderfully flawed character, as Rebus' own sense of mortality (he's now in his mid 50s) becomes increasingly near, but overall the story is so-so.
August 7, 2022
Εξαιρετική περιπέτεια, με αγωνία, ανατροπές, και φόντο τα φέρετρα-μινιατούρες που βρίσκονται στο μουσείο του Εδιμβούργου. Απόσπασμα του βιβλίου βρίσκεται και αυτό στο μουσείο, στο ίδιο τμήμα με τα εκθέματα. Βαθμός: 4,5+ /5.
February 18, 2010
Not my favorite Rebus novel--where's the snappy dialogue? the incisive, witty description?--instead the strength of the novel is the full-throttle plot. Rebus and Siobhan investigate the death of a young socialite and find themselves knee-deep in hand-made miniature coffins with dolls in them and an online role-playing game run by the mysterious Quizmaster. These oddities make the mystery stand out and keep propelling the reader forward, even when the writing falls flat (!). It's like the novel needs a final polish.
Rankin also fails to nail the landing--the ending tries to tie up too many loose ends too quickly and details get lost (!!)--How did the smarmy journalist get all his info on the members of the police dept? How does Flip's friend fit into the mystery?--and the solutions are apparent from the beginning (especially the one to the older crimes). And yet I'll still read a Rankin novel any day of the week.
Interesting side note: I finished this novel in Berkeley, CA, and happened to walk into the main half-price bookstore in the center of town. The mystery shelf was stocked...except for Rankin novels! (They only had his collection of short stories). Next to where his work would have been there was a sign "Need Ian Rankin novels. Will pay top $$$!" He was only one of two writers whose work the store put up desperate signs for.
Rankin also fails to nail the landing--the ending tries to tie up too many loose ends too quickly and details get lost (!!)--How did the smarmy journalist get all his info on the members of the police dept? How does Flip's friend fit into the mystery?--and the solutions are apparent from the beginning (especially the one to the older crimes). And yet I'll still read a Rankin novel any day of the week.
Interesting side note: I finished this novel in Berkeley, CA, and happened to walk into the main half-price bookstore in the center of town. The mystery shelf was stocked...except for Rankin novels! (They only had his collection of short stories). Next to where his work would have been there was a sign "Need Ian Rankin novels. Will pay top $$$!" He was only one of two writers whose work the store put up desperate signs for.
March 4, 2018
Just ok considering length of these books - some hold up start to finish and some fail. There were a couple themes within this tale of a missing person, a young woman of good family. Online gaming, early generation, was one tool used by murderer that Siobhan followed and got sucked up into; the other was the history of body snatching followed by Rebus. Victorian coffin dolls leave one of the trails he follows.
Rebus falls in bed with old friend of his new boss now that Farmer is retired, a museum lady, and he readies his flat for sale until he makes a decision to stick with life as it has been.
"It represented, he realised, the only fixed point of his life. All the cases he'd worked, the monsters he'd encountered...he dealt with them here, seated in his chair, staring out of his window. ..If he gave this up, what would be left? No still centre to his world, no cage for his demons."
3.5 stars for me
Rebus falls in bed with old friend of his new boss now that Farmer is retired, a museum lady, and he readies his flat for sale until he makes a decision to stick with life as it has been.
"It represented, he realised, the only fixed point of his life. All the cases he'd worked, the monsters he'd encountered...he dealt with them here, seated in his chair, staring out of his window. ..If he gave this up, what would be left? No still centre to his world, no cage for his demons."
3.5 stars for me
September 3, 2017
Much better than I expected it to be. Glad that the story didn't focus solely on Rebus but on DC Clarke and the others too.
May 4, 2013
I love these books for the insider's look that I get into Edinburgh, Scotland. I love these books for the realistic John Rebus, one of my favourite fictional characters. I love them for the mysteries and the intricate plotting that is in each and every book. Ian Rankin knows how to write a story. This books shows an even more complex John Rebus. A young woman has gone missing and John and his team are doing everything possible to find her. As they continue to search, John realizes that there is a lot more to this mystery than a rebellious young woman trying to escape from a less than ideal family life. And why does some particular historical information that is uncovered during the course of the investigation, seem to dovetail with this present day mystery? John puts together a a very mismatched team for this investigation. Each brings a unique set of skills as well as unique flaws which somehow all work together to help unravel the puzzle. Excellent writing, and to make it even better, John even finds a love interest. Long, long overdue for the wonderful John Rebus.
October 4, 2017
Ένα εξαιρετικό αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα του Ίαν Ράνκιν, όπου το μυστήριο αναλαμβάνει μεγαλύτερο ρόλο από την δράση. Εξαιρετικός πρωταγωνιστής ο Τζον Ρέμπους, στην ίδια θέση με την συμπρωταγωνίστριά του, την Σιβόν Κλαρκ. Ακόμη πιο ωραία και η φάση του Εδιμβούργου, μιας πόλης με παράδοση. Σαν μεσογειακό νουάρ σε σημεία, με την κοινωνική κριτική να λαμβάνει μεγαλύτερο ρόλο από την ίντριγκα (που δεν λείπει).
Ο Ράνκιν αποδεικνύεται αξία στο είδος, θα διάβαζα ευχαρίστως ό,τι υπάρχει και δεν υπάρχει απ' το έργο του!
Ο Ράνκιν αποδεικνύεται αξία στο είδος, θα διάβαζα ευχαρίστως ό,τι υπάρχει και δεν υπάρχει απ' το έργο του!
July 27, 2020
Not my favourite Rebus novel as he investigates a missing girl and gets embroiled in cases involving coffins placed at the scene from previous years. Intriguing but a little slow for me and the ending was most predictable. Still an amazing series.
March 25, 2020
Rankin really knows how to put together a mystery.
When Rebus and Siobhan start investigating a missing young woman, another set of cases emerges, and we are left trying to figure out what happened to the woman, and whether or not the other cases are connected. As always, Edinburgh itself is a character in these books, providing atmosphere and history.
By this point in the series, Rebus and Siobhan are familiar and well-worn, but still growing. I'm impressed with Rankin's ability to make me feel like I know the two of them well - but still teach me something new about them with each book.
The mystery itself was well-crafted, and kept me guessing. All the information was there for us, with no surprise revelations right at the end, and still I couldn't put it together. (I always feel a little cheated when the murderer confesses things the author didn't tell us or signal for us. I want to feel like I have all the info the detective did, and could figure it out if I just tried hard enough.) Rankin also pretty expertly ramped up the action. I was out for a walk during the climax and found myself walking faster and faster as the pitch increased.
I think Rankin takes some time to hit his stride, but this is a great series and definitely worth picking up if you like mysteries.
When Rebus and Siobhan start investigating a missing young woman, another set of cases emerges, and we are left trying to figure out what happened to the woman, and whether or not the other cases are connected. As always, Edinburgh itself is a character in these books, providing atmosphere and history.
By this point in the series, Rebus and Siobhan are familiar and well-worn, but still growing. I'm impressed with Rankin's ability to make me feel like I know the two of them well - but still teach me something new about them with each book.
The mystery itself was well-crafted, and kept me guessing. All the information was there for us, with no surprise revelations right at the end, and still I couldn't put it together. (I always feel a little cheated when the murderer confesses things the author didn't tell us or signal for us. I want to feel like I have all the info the detective did, and could figure it out if I just tried hard enough.) Rankin also pretty expertly ramped up the action. I was out for a walk during the climax and found myself walking faster and faster as the pitch increased.
I think Rankin takes some time to hit his stride, but this is a great series and definitely worth picking up if you like mysteries.
January 6, 2021
3.5☆. Καλό αλλά όχι από τα αγαπημένα μου.
June 12, 2018
Genoten van dit verhaal, erg herkenbaar Schots en dus precies wat ik zocht. Ik vond het leuk hoe een stukje mysterie erin verwerkt was, over de Arthur's Seat miniature coffins die door twee jongens zijn gevonden, begin 1836 in Edinburgh. Naar het verhaal achter is altijd gegist en er zijn verscheidene theorieën over, want iedereen was er wel door gefascineerd, maar het mysterie is nooit werkelijk opgehelderd.
Via onderstaande link kun je een blik werpen op de coffins, ze zijn te zien in het National Museum of Scotland en toen ik vorige week in Edinburgh was ben ik ze dan ook gaan bekijken, een kaart ervan zit nu in het boek.
https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-col...
Via onderstaande link kun je een blik werpen op de coffins, ze zijn te zien in het National Museum of Scotland en toen ik vorige week in Edinburgh was ben ik ze dan ook gaan bekijken, een kaart ervan zit nu in het boek.
https://www.nms.ac.uk/explore-our-col...
March 26, 2018
Edinburgh police detective John Rebus, Ian Rankin's popular series detective, is a brilliantly realized character, as moody, dark, and melancholy as Edinburgh itself. In The Falls, he's almost certain that missing university student Philippa Balfour is dead, but he's less sure how she died or what her misadventure has to do with the tiny doll in a hand-sized coffin that turns up near a waterfall on the Balfour family estate. It's not the first coffin found near the scene of a crime; could Philippa be the victim of a serial killer?
In this installment of Ian Rankin's Rebus we find Farmer Watson has retired and Gill Templer has taken his place as Rebus' boss. She quickly learns that Rebus is hard to handle and Rebus begins to think about retirement. Philippa Balfour has been playing a fantasy type computer game with the Quizmaster and Siobhan Clarke decides to play along in order to find out what happened to Philippa. Rebus soon finds out that there is a connection to the Burke and Hare case that was from the 1700. The model coffin found near the Falls of the Balfour Home also has a connection to the Resurrectionists and Arthur's seat. Once again there are a few sub-plots along with the murder of Philippa. I think I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed the others. I found it very interesting and now I look forward to reading the next in the series. I would highly recommend this series to those who like mystery thrillers about Endinburgh, Scotland with action and adventure.
In this installment of Ian Rankin's Rebus we find Farmer Watson has retired and Gill Templer has taken his place as Rebus' boss. She quickly learns that Rebus is hard to handle and Rebus begins to think about retirement. Philippa Balfour has been playing a fantasy type computer game with the Quizmaster and Siobhan Clarke decides to play along in order to find out what happened to Philippa. Rebus soon finds out that there is a connection to the Burke and Hare case that was from the 1700. The model coffin found near the Falls of the Balfour Home also has a connection to the Resurrectionists and Arthur's seat. Once again there are a few sub-plots along with the murder of Philippa. I think I enjoyed this book more than I enjoyed the others. I found it very interesting and now I look forward to reading the next in the series. I would highly recommend this series to those who like mystery thrillers about Endinburgh, Scotland with action and adventure.
March 28, 2020
Another great John Rebus novel. This one well developed. Is there or was there a serial killer in Edinburgh? His secondary characters are also well developed. This in No. 10. I'll read many more of Rankin's great mysteries.
January 8, 2019
Rating The Falls is a bit challenging for me, because it is, at times, both engaging and elusive. Ian Rankin excels at placing you in the heart of Scotland, and draws his characters well. However, the story seems to suffer from a split personality. On the one hand, there are fast moving, action-packed scenes full of tension and well-written dialogue. But on the other hand, there are far too many pages of tedium.
The plot actually involves two sets of murders running in parallel. However, the reader isn’t permitted to discern that dichotomy until late in the book and it felt almost a little like being cheated, since valuable clues are withheld until the last. One critical element of the story involves a mysterious Internet-based individual known only as Quizmaster, who runs a sort of puzzle treasure-hunt game by providing clues for participants to solve in order to get to the next level. There is an addictive element to the game which seems to have led to the death of the daughter of a wealthy banker. When one of the detectives begins to play the game in order to discover Quizmaster’s identity, credulity suffers. Instead of using the tech resources of the police, she and a partner go traipsing all over Scotland, seeking answers to the clues and obviously being whipsawed about by their mysterious tormenter, whom they suspect is the murderer.
The protagonist, Inspector Rebus, is the typical flawed cop who drinks too much, has trouble being a team player, and can’t seem to hold onto a relationship. He’s an entertaining character, just not a unique one. While that can be forgiven, it made connecting with the book that much more difficult.
As I stated earlier, there are parts of the story that are flat out terrific. Had Rankin trimmed the story more efficiently, say by some 150 pages, this would have been a 4-5 star book. I haven’t read any of the other Inspector Rebus novels, so I’ve no way to compare, but would hope they are more tightly edited. I might read some of the others in this series, but it will likely be a while before I do.
The plot actually involves two sets of murders running in parallel. However, the reader isn’t permitted to discern that dichotomy until late in the book and it felt almost a little like being cheated, since valuable clues are withheld until the last. One critical element of the story involves a mysterious Internet-based individual known only as Quizmaster, who runs a sort of puzzle treasure-hunt game by providing clues for participants to solve in order to get to the next level. There is an addictive element to the game which seems to have led to the death of the daughter of a wealthy banker. When one of the detectives begins to play the game in order to discover Quizmaster’s identity, credulity suffers. Instead of using the tech resources of the police, she and a partner go traipsing all over Scotland, seeking answers to the clues and obviously being whipsawed about by their mysterious tormenter, whom they suspect is the murderer.
The protagonist, Inspector Rebus, is the typical flawed cop who drinks too much, has trouble being a team player, and can’t seem to hold onto a relationship. He’s an entertaining character, just not a unique one. While that can be forgiven, it made connecting with the book that much more difficult.
As I stated earlier, there are parts of the story that are flat out terrific. Had Rankin trimmed the story more efficiently, say by some 150 pages, this would have been a 4-5 star book. I haven’t read any of the other Inspector Rebus novels, so I’ve no way to compare, but would hope they are more tightly edited. I might read some of the others in this series, but it will likely be a while before I do.
May 21, 2021
One of the best of the series. A book that you simply can't put down.
Rankin makes sure that Rebus is a character that is believable, one that you can relate to. Not only does he have flaws that make him more human, he also evolves and changes with time, just like any real person would. In this book he manages to demonstrate empathy and understanding while remaining his moody and cynical self.
As for the plot, it has enough characters involved in the case to keep you guessing up to the last page. I enjoyed it immensely!
Rankin makes sure that Rebus is a character that is believable, one that you can relate to. Not only does he have flaws that make him more human, he also evolves and changes with time, just like any real person would. In this book he manages to demonstrate empathy and understanding while remaining his moody and cynical self.
As for the plot, it has enough characters involved in the case to keep you guessing up to the last page. I enjoyed it immensely!
September 10, 2007
THE FALLS – VG
Rankin, Ian – 12th in series
The disappearance of a female student, the discovery of a small wooden coffin, and an Internet role-playing game lead Rebus to wonder at the connection to 16 similar coffins found in 1836, and other previous disappearances. Rankin provides another very good procedural with diverse and interesting characters. A very well-done series.
Rankin, Ian – 12th in series
The disappearance of a female student, the discovery of a small wooden coffin, and an Internet role-playing game lead Rebus to wonder at the connection to 16 similar coffins found in 1836, and other previous disappearances. Rankin provides another very good procedural with diverse and interesting characters. A very well-done series.
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