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benjaminparris's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sonicboylee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Clearly the origin of Rebus is evident in these pages, which Rankin himself has stated. Very evocative of a Glasgow before the gentrification of “Smiles Better” campaign etc.
jrenee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
actino's review
5.0
Beautifully and deftly written. It happens to be a detective novel, but that’s a bit like calling The Outsider a book on gun crime.
finnickstrident's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.0
sshabein's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
Because my library happened to have it, the only Laidlaw book I'd read before this first one was The Dark Remains, which was finished by Ian Rankin after William McIlvanney's death. I've read a few of Rankin's Rebus books, which are generally good mysteries, but I'd be curious now to reread and see if I can spot the seams. Rankin may be a perfectly serviceable writer whose work I'll probably read more, of but McIlvanney gave me several moments of "Damn, now that's a sentence."
I felt like the ending became sort of a foregone conclusion, but otherwise, I loved this book. I can definitely see its influence in so many writers, though no one has quite risen to McIlvanney's gift of characterization and description. (Perhaps Alan Parks' series with Detective Harry McCoy comes close.) McIlvanney can give you a whole life, a whole history, in an apt sentence or two. Sure, DC Harkness's inner monologue gets a little overcooked at times, but this is a noir, and besides, Laidlaw teases him about it. We're all aware of our roles here. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the other books with these characters.
I felt like the ending became sort of a foregone conclusion, but otherwise, I loved this book. I can definitely see its influence in so many writers, though no one has quite risen to McIlvanney's gift of characterization and description. (Perhaps Alan Parks' series with Detective Harry McCoy comes close.) McIlvanney can give you a whole life, a whole history, in an apt sentence or two. Sure, DC Harkness's inner monologue gets a little overcooked at times, but this is a noir, and besides, Laidlaw teases him about it. We're all aware of our roles here. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the other books with these characters.
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence and Murder
Minor: Homophobia
fizzypixie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ruuuooooo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
samterroni's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75