The Naming of the Dead (Inspector John Rebus Series #16)

A reviewer

Scottish Terriers are known hunters, so it is apt that the detectives here are Scottish. I picked this book up because of its Edinburgh setting and wasn't disappointed as many tourist haunts play into the story. The story unfolds slowly and at a relaxing pace, but the mystery keeps the pages turning as Rankin plays his card so cleverly. Our detective Rebus isn't exactly superman, or a super cop, just another Scottish drinker who can't seem to let the darker forces get a leg up. Determining who those forces are is a good deal of the book's work. One thing Rankin did get wrong in the book: the name of President Bush's dog. It's Barney, yet another Scottish Terrier.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Kept my interest with no boring plot.

Mmy neighbor gave this book to read. Unfortunately, he forgot to tell me that this book was part of a series and that it was best that I read the earlier novels by Ian Rankin. Still, I struggled through "The Naming of the Dead" and finished it six days later. If you are a fan of this author and have read the series you probably are thrilled with the character Detective Inspector John Rebus, but coming in cold with this character I found myself trying to comprehend exactly who he was. One thing, I never found him to be boring and the plot kept my interest. I was hoping for an exciting mystery to unfold and by mid point in the story it did.

The author's writing is style flows easily and he has a knack for describing in detail the scenes, police procedures, crime scenes and the traits of the characters. Overall, in my opinion this is a wonderful mystery novel, even though it is clouded by coming in late to the series. I'll definitely try another novel by Mr. Rankin that revolves around the Rebus character.

Always Enjoy Inspector Rebus

This is another book in the Inspector Rebus series. Ian Rankin can tell a good story with unexpected twists along the way...just to keep you off balance. He is wonderful with character development and making the Scottish background come alive on the page.

If you like Rankin, you'll like this book.

great police procedural

In 2005 as the world awaits the Group of Eight summit in Edinburgh in a few days, Scottish law enforcement is in overdrive to protect world leaders and to insure the city and country are not embarrassed as the G8 meetings can have some active protestors. Two days before the session begins, security is already tight when Scottish delegate Ben Webster is found dead leading to an already wary police questioning whether he was murdered, but keeping the attendees safe is the prime objective so a thorough investigation will be delayed.----------------- Meanwhile Inspector John Rebus investigates the murder of violent sex offender Cyril Colliar, just freed from prison over the objection of his superiors who cannot spare a cop for the homicide of a nasty mob muscle. However, Rebus refuses to ignore the murder and his inquiries connect to Webster's death. While Colliar¿s boss crime kingpin Cafferty watches Rebus as he has danced with the Inspector before, the sleuth believes a vigilante is on a BLOOD HUNT meting out justice by killing rapists.---------------------------- Rebus is at his obstinate flaunting supervision best as he investigates the murder of a person he agrees with the vigilante deserved death to the backdrop of the 2005 G8 summit in Edinburgh. The fast-paced story line contains two fine subplots. The conference and its impact on the city and the services especially police provided by the city and country is a classic maniacal freak show Rebus¿ sole act investigation into the mob enforcer¿s homicide is cleverly done. However these themes and their link, Webster¿s death, never clearly tie together except for time and place. Still fans of Rebus will enjoy his latest police procedural as he is in full form causing havoc for the preoccupied brass.------------------- Harriet Klausner

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