Black and blue
I've previously read the first two of Ian Rankin's Rebus novels - Knots and crosses, and Hide and seek. Although I enjoyed both of them, I found them strangely unmemorable. Ian Rankin is undoubtedly a good writer, but neither of these novels gripped me. Then, a few months back, I heard Ian Rankin being interviewed on Radio 4, looking back at his teenage diaries, and talking about his first steps as a writer. It was fascinating listening, and reminded me again what a great person he seemed to be. So, having decided to read more Rebus, I chanced across Black and blue.
Black and blue was the novel that lifted him from lowly crime writer status to stardom, as it wowed the critics, and won the much valued Crime Writers' Association's Gold Dagger. It was probably fitting that I should have read Black and blue not that long after finishing Martin Edwards' history of the Detection Club The Golden Age of Murder, where Edwards revealed that much of the best crime writing from the Golden Age of detective fiction was influenced by real life events. Rankin does this superbly in Black and Blue as Rebus comes face to face with one of the unsolved crimes of the twentieth century- the Bible John murders, that took place in Glasgow in the late '60's, early '70's.
Rebus currently has his own problems, as he has come under investigation for a suspected miscarriage of justice, his relationship with his daughter has sunk to a new low, and he is drinking more than ever. The suicide of a former colleague looks as though he's going to be left to carry the can for an event that occurred in his early days in the police force. But when a serial killer gets to work in Scotland, Rebus is reminded of earlier crimes. Has Bible John made a comeback, or is this an admirer out to prove a point? As Rebus battles his own demons, an unexpected saviour will appear, his former sidekick, now posted to keep an eye on Rebus. Meanwhile Rebus has his own case to solve, which will involve a visit to oil capital, Aberdeen, and further on to the Shetland Isles, where Rebus becomes aware that the serial killings may actually link to his own case. Could there be a link to the oil industry? Rebus struggles to keep his own life on track while solving cases, and trying to avoid the interest of his nemesis, Chief Inspector Ancram, who may be a good cop turned bad.
This was such a great read. As might be expected with Rankin, the crime writing is slick, and well plotted. The links with real places and people made the whole story feel real, and Edinburgh comes through as a major character in the work.
What I especially liked about it though was the character of Rebus himself. Fully formed, vulnerable, and immensely likeable despite his flaws.
The edition I read, which was the 20th anniversary edition, also had lots of helpful notes including a fascinating foreword by Rankin describing the background to the novel, the anger that impelled him to write it, and some great asides back to his teenage years. I absolutely loved the idea that writing was a way in which his teenage band that had never come to anything could finally emerge into the limelight. There's a refreshing honesty about the novel. It's not just a great crime story, it's a wonderfully well written novel with a redemptive heart. Beautifully written, it's Rankin at his very best.
Black and blue was the novel that lifted him from lowly crime writer status to stardom, as it wowed the critics, and won the much valued Crime Writers' Association's Gold Dagger. It was probably fitting that I should have read Black and blue not that long after finishing Martin Edwards' history of the Detection Club The Golden Age of Murder, where Edwards revealed that much of the best crime writing from the Golden Age of detective fiction was influenced by real life events. Rankin does this superbly in Black and Blue as Rebus comes face to face with one of the unsolved crimes of the twentieth century- the Bible John murders, that took place in Glasgow in the late '60's, early '70's.
This was such a great read. As might be expected with Rankin, the crime writing is slick, and well plotted. The links with real places and people made the whole story feel real, and Edinburgh comes through as a major character in the work.
What I especially liked about it though was the character of Rebus himself. Fully formed, vulnerable, and immensely likeable despite his flaws.
The edition I read, which was the 20th anniversary edition, also had lots of helpful notes including a fascinating foreword by Rankin describing the background to the novel, the anger that impelled him to write it, and some great asides back to his teenage years. I absolutely loved the idea that writing was a way in which his teenage band that had never come to anything could finally emerge into the limelight. There's a refreshing honesty about the novel. It's not just a great crime story, it's a wonderfully well written novel with a redemptive heart. Beautifully written, it's Rankin at his very best.
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| The Flying Pigs - Rankin's very own band. |
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