Dead Souls (Tape): Abridged (Inspector Rebus)

Rankin has delivered a powerful series of books featuring his beleaguered DI John Rebus and while never less than gripping, a certain tiredness seemed to be setting in. Thankfully, this new novel is a resounding return to form, with a plot as enjoyably labyrinthine as any Rankin enthusiast could wish and pithy dialogue that fairly leaps off the page. Stalking the streets of Edinburgh on the trail of a poisoner, Rebus hits upon a freed paedophile and his subsequent outing of the man leaves him with very mixed feelings. But another problem develops for Rebus: A convicted murderer has him in his sights for some lethal games. And the tabloid press lionising of Rebus won't help him in this situation. As always, Rankin is perfectly ready to tackle contentious issues--precisely the thing that gives his books their powerful sense of veracity. And Rebus, no longer in danger of having a soap opera-like accumulation of personal problems, seems as fresh and well-observed a character as in those first exhilarating books. Rankin has caught his form again, with even more assurance. --Barry Forshaw

There are other giveaways to membership of the Dead Prose Club here, too: not least, the proliferation of sentences, paragraphs and chapters either (a) beginning with the word "And.." or (b) ending in that deadliest of all dull devices, the dreaded three dots.

As for mystery: unfortunately, both the main ending and surprise ending were blindingly obvious miles from home. I knew the outcome of the former less than fifty pages in, and of the latter as soon as the character concerned was introduced. (So - why didn't Rebus? That's supposed to be his job, isn't it?) It was frustrating, too, to reach the end of the book and discover that the three principal plot-lines didn't so much interweave, as merely take place alongside each other, at the same time. All you end up with, is three plots for the price of one.

There are other examples of clumsy plotting, too. It really does stretch credibility that a murder carried out in a welter of blood in a moving car, where the killer's identity is known to the police, is dismissed as unsolvable within hours of its discovery. One imagines the police might work a little harder on the case, in the real world - if not, we're in trouble. But then, the event must be the servant of the plot, so that's the way it has to be. Unfortunately, it blares out its own untruth as a result.

There are some well-drawn characters, Rebus himself and a couple of other male policemen. Most fizzle and fade away. Some are just ditched when their plot works itself out. That's the trouble with plot-driven fiction like this: it cannot convey the after-life of characters who exist only at the mercy of a plot-line. Even by leaving, in this case, one of the plot-lines open.

To a certain extent, I'm trying to redress the balance here. Though it should be no more than half as long as it is, "Dead Souls" is an adequate holiday read. It's only "not very good", or if you're in the mood, "OK". Don't, though, expect more than formula fiction can deliver.


Unremittingly grim...   June 26, 2002
 5 out of 21 found this review helpful

This is my first attempt at a Rankin-Rebus novel, having bought it from a restricted selection whilst on holiday. I don't disagree that it's a densely-plotted story with at least the central character fleshed out (albeit surrounded by a number of cardboard cutouts!), and probably a not unrealistic appraisal of the policing process - a dull slog with little of the blinding revelation usually associated with criminal fiction.

But in a haze of cigarette smoke, whisky-and-waters and rain on dreary slums, Rankin makes Edinburgh sound depressingly grim - probably the last place I'd choose to write about, were I a best selling author. While there are undoubtedly a lot of crime fiction fans out there, I'm surprised so many of them choose the Rebus stories in favour of more escapist fiction.

Me, I might try another...but not just yet!


Another Rebus masterpiece   January 17, 2002
 10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Another intriguing Rebus novel, with lots going on, plenty of suspense, and lots of good Edinburgh insights. My first Rebus novel was The Falls - this second reading of Rebus shows what a master Rankin is as you see how the character develops. I think I'm going to now read the series through and start with book 1 so that I can follow things through chronologically. If you've not read Rankin before then I recommend you do - mind you - you'll find you can't put it down - so make sure you've got some time on your hands!


Must Get   September 4, 2001
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

My first read of a Rankin Novel and it managed to hook me. If you have a spare day or two or are at a loose end then this book is a "must get". Rebus takes you by the hand and leads you through this winding and twisting plot. A litle confusing to start, but pay attention and all becomes clear. I look forward to reading the other books from Rankin as recommended by other reviewers.


One of the best books Ian Rankin has penned.   March 9, 2001
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

This is one of the ebst books Ian Rankin has penned. With the possible exceptions of Black Book and The Hanging Garden (a wonderful title by the way)

The plot is typically labyrinthine (hope i spelled it right) But simple to grasp. It throws up, as all his do, many different topical issues (peadophillia, missing persons, releasing convicted murderers etc) All of which are dealt with wonderful compassion and a biting relism.

The writing is wonderfully fresh and original, easy to understand, and the short one liners Rebus often delivers are classics of fiction. This book shows the dark side of relaity, which can all too easlity become the one people most assosciate with.

The characters are simply marvellous. Even thought you know it is wron, you are willing Rebus and Janice to get together again after all these years, even though both are spoken for. But the best character in this book (even though she is not featured all that much) has got to be Amanda Petrie. She has lodged herself in my mind, even though i finished it about 4 dayas ago, and she's still not gone. Wonderful.

Beware though, if you happen to be new to Rankin, this is not the best to start with as it assumes you have previous knowledge of the series, which if you want to fully understand the haunted character of Rebus, it is vital to have.

If you are looking to start the series, work through the series in order. The mistake i made was to not do that, and i found myself in a right old muddle!!!!