annebrooke's review against another edition
3.0
I have to admit I'm not a Rebus reader so thought I'd try these short stories to see if it was worth getting the novels. On the evidence of this collection, I don't think I'll be starting the series. They're written in a rather old-fashioned way, and none of the characters really jump from the page at all. Some of the plots are very cliched and Rebus just seems to solve them without showing his workings and often on simple guesswork. So a bit disappointing, all in all. That said, the descriptions of Edinburgh are very good.
infernal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
csdaley's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book or a long period of time. Giving myself the gift of a short story between other books I was reading. I really loved seeing the young Rebus again. The stories were great and I was sad to realize tonight that I was starting the final short. Now I will just have to wait until the novel.
bulbasaur_pro's review against another edition
mysterious
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? No
4.0
reb97's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
josephinebean's review against another edition
3.0
rated: 3 stars
2022 Advent Calendar Day 1
if i wasn't gifted this book i would have never picked it up, and being thrown into the deep end with short stories about a character which i knew nothing about was very interesting. the stories ranged from just okay to decent, with none of them really standing out as shocking or with insane twists. the author did try to put a twist in most of them, which i think would have worked better if they were read individually instead of altogether in this compilation novel. it was also really hard to keep track of what year the story was set in, because the book was supposed to chronicle the rise through the ranks of the detective mc all the way until his retirement in the final story, but they all just kind of blurred together into one long cop story. the short story format also meant that there was 0 character development, which i guess is because there are more than 25 full length novels that are meant for the development, but it made it very slow going to read the book anyway.
2022 Advent Calendar Day 1
if i wasn't gifted this book i would have never picked it up, and being thrown into the deep end with short stories about a character which i knew nothing about was very interesting. the stories ranged from just okay to decent, with none of them really standing out as shocking or with insane twists. the author did try to put a twist in most of them, which i think would have worked better if they were read individually instead of altogether in this compilation novel. it was also really hard to keep track of what year the story was set in, because the book was supposed to chronicle the rise through the ranks of the detective mc all the way until his retirement in the final story, but they all just kind of blurred together into one long cop story. the short story format also meant that there was 0 character development, which i guess is because there are more than 25 full length novels that are meant for the development, but it made it very slow going to read the book anyway.
woolfardis's review against another edition
4.0
The Beat Goes On is a collection of short stories concerning John Rebus-right from his time as DS to DI, with another story concerning him whilst he was retired but still going at it like a good ole Detective.
Ian Rankin is sublime, even in the shorter format of storytelling. Each story is just a snippet in to both the writing style of Rankin and also the Life and Times of Inspector Rebus, Gentleman.
Each story is just a small, non-significant mystery that Rebus has to solve, some of which featured as side-plots in one of the fully-formed Rebus novels. With these stories you gain an insight in to John Rebus himself, the people he works with and against, Edinburgh and of Rankin's writing style as it is.
If you have not read any Rebus or Rankin before, this may be a good starting point, just to work out whether you enjoy his storytelling prowess, or just to see if you think Rebus will be worth your time. I can't imagine why he wouldn't be, but, you know, just in case.
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Ian Rankin is sublime, even in the shorter format of storytelling. Each story is just a snippet in to both the writing style of Rankin and also the Life and Times of Inspector Rebus, Gentleman.
Each story is just a small, non-significant mystery that Rebus has to solve, some of which featured as side-plots in one of the fully-formed Rebus novels. With these stories you gain an insight in to John Rebus himself, the people he works with and against, Edinburgh and of Rankin's writing style as it is.
If you have not read any Rebus or Rankin before, this may be a good starting point, just to work out whether you enjoy his storytelling prowess, or just to see if you think Rebus will be worth your time. I can't imagine why he wouldn't be, but, you know, just in case.
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timbr's review against another edition
5.0
really got into this book and found the stories a perfect length to get through during lunch breaks and before bed
pehall's review against another edition
5.0
Definitive collection. There is no better crime writer than Rankin.
tartancrusader's review against another edition
3.0
Some good stories, some weak stories, some stories that were expanded into novels. Rebus is such a good character though that he can bear the load of the poorer ones. Worth a look, in an idle moment, if you're a fan or a completist.