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bookscreentalk's review against another edition
1.0
Not my cup of tea govnah!
As far as crime thrillers go, this is by FAR the worst one I have read. Granted, his writing style is new to me, but the story just felt so dry, and no good character descriptions, with a very predictable plotline. Not to mention the forced dialogues.
Laura was present in the story for what? eye candy, if you could even call it that? If we remove her, it wouldn't affect the story one bit.
Just awful.
If I didn't own another book by the author, this would have been my last.
Steer clear.
As far as crime thrillers go, this is by FAR the worst one I have read. Granted, his writing style is new to me, but the story just felt so dry, and no good character descriptions, with a very predictable plotline. Not to mention the forced dialogues.
Laura was present in the story for what? eye candy, if you could even call it that? If we remove her, it wouldn't affect the story one bit.
Just awful.
If I didn't own another book by the author, this would have been my last.
Steer clear.
taries's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
ajnel's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
One of Ian Rankin's few stand-alone novels. The novel centers around an art heist but a very unlikely group of men, culminating in a nice little blindside. As always there are just enough breadcrumbs to ensure that the amateur sleuth can figure out the plot twist and reveal. Thoroughly enjoyable.
amandatamsin's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mochavonbee's review against another edition
2.0
Very disappointing. Implausible art-;over plot with very stereotypical characters. Having heard great things about Ian Rankin for years, this was a huge let-down.
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
Rankin has moved on from his Rebus series, but he hasn't missed a beat: Open Doors is as good as anything he's written before.
There are gangsters, effete art world people, innocent bystanders and - of course - a plodding cop looking to put disparate threads of a crime together. Professor Giddings has created what he thinks is the perfect crime: replace stolen artworks with quality forgeries. Not just any artworks, but several stored in a warehouse because there's no room on the museum walls. He ropes in Mike (a bored multimillionaire) and Allan (a banker), and the crew grows to include a local gangster and an art student. Of course, something goes wrong and, well, you'll have to read the book.
There are gangsters, effete art world people, innocent bystanders and - of course - a plodding cop looking to put disparate threads of a crime together. Professor Giddings has created what he thinks is the perfect crime: replace stolen artworks with quality forgeries. Not just any artworks, but several stored in a warehouse because there's no room on the museum walls. He ropes in Mike (a bored multimillionaire) and Allan (a banker), and the crew grows to include a local gangster and an art student. Of course, something goes wrong and, well, you'll have to read the book.
sleepybarb's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
meekorouse's review against another edition
2.0
Hoping the rest of Rankin's books don't build up this slow & wrap up so easily you'd think stealing paintings is no big deal. While I don't expect a trial @ the end, a little more something should have occurred, no?
susieshanly's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5