Reviews

Knots and Crosses: An Inspector Rebus Novel by Ian Rankin

dbevvers63's review against another edition

dark informative tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

deniseo's review against another edition

4.0

Rebus' torture during SAS training is eye-opening, and helps me to better understand his character.

zelda100's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

avidreadergirl1's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Great start to a series.

This series features a far from perfect policeman who is struggling at work and in his personal life. Throughout the book, a very puzzling case and some anonymous letters are linked to Rebus’s past thus bringing to light some of his past and flaws and makes an ally of one that was no fan of Rebus from the start.

The book also features a reporter who’s obsessed with a drug case and with Rebus and his brother. 

I liked that the characters are flawed like any human beings and are accepting their flaws.

I was a bit disappointed that the brothers relationship was not much developed but I don’t think this would have brought much to light. 

I also liked that I could easily recognize some places as I have recently visited Edinburgh thus making the various references to places very clear in my mind.
Overall, I recommend this book but be aware that it is not for the faint of heart

marco5599's review against another edition

1.5

Well, that was boring. Barely room for the strangler's case, it's mostly about the detective's personal life. He gets clues (like, literally, in the mail!), but ignores them. Too busy drinking, shagging, talking to God and struggling with his past. Not written in an attention grabbing way either. On the contrary, I found the affected tone quite off-putting. Of course everything and everybody is connected somehow, which makes the whole story about as likely as Hibs or Hearts winning the Champions League, so even that didn't work for me. First and last Rebus.

bredabear4823's review

5.0

Definitely recommend.

d_audy's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

kiahsbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was way more dramatic than I was expecting! A solid 4 stars. Can’t wait to read the rest of the books. 

jasonlaw77's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jackdawjones's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0