15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Anarchy Versus Nietzsche, July 4 2006
By prisrob "pris," - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Blood Hunt (Hardcover)
"Reeve had been one of Nietzsche's gentlemen. Nietzsche had carried on the work of Descartes and others- men who needed to dominate, to control, to eliminate chance. But while Nietzsche wanted superman, controllers, he also wanted people to live dangerously. Reeve felt he was fulfilling these criteria if no other. He was living dangerously. He just wondered if he needed mutual aide along the way."
Gordon Reeve was a soldier in the Counter-Revolutionary War fare Unit of the SAS. He was very skilled and much admired for his talents. After his last assignment where he was laid open to the enemy by his team mate, and only survived by his great skill's; he asked to be discharged. He started his own surival camp in the mountains of Scotland. He belived in the Seven "P" philosophy: "Proper Planning and Preparation Prevent Piss-Poor Performance." This is what he taught and this is how he lved his life. He married, had a son and one day received a call from the US to tell him his brother had committed suicide.
Gordon flew to San Diego to find his brother's remains and became enmeshed in the murder not suicide of his brother. He discovered many interesting clues and became involved in the illegal wastes and products of chemical companies. Mystery and intrigue always follow Ian Rankin, and this is no different. The clues Gordon finds brings him to London, France, back to the US and in that time his home is bugged and his family is in danger. The people in the multi- billion dollar chemical business have ties to the CIA and to all of the Intelligence communities in msot countries. Gordon Reeves faced real danger, and in the telling and sleuthing he discovered friends who assisted him. Reeves is an amazing character and his mind is a steel trap much like my good friend, BK. He is a complex character, as are all of Ian Rankin's. He has a personality that is likeable but so multifaceted that you become enmeshed in the mystery and turn every corner with zeal as Reeve encounters one problem after another.
I like Gordon Reeve. He is a philosopher and his thoughtful discussion of anarchy and Nietzsche is fulfilling. He is intelligent, complex and sexy. He loves his family, he is a man of few words but each word counts. Gordon Reeve is my kind of man, a man of mystery and delight.
Ian Rankin has introduced us to a new set of characters and they work. This is a man of intelligence with a love of philosophy and action. Contrary to others' opinions, this novel does work. Certainly,no one can compare to Rebus, Ian Rankin's best known Scottish detective, but Gordon Reeves works for me. An altogether different kind of man and detective, he is a thinking woman's man. Highly recommended, prisrob 7-04-06
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not Rebus but rivetting nonetheless, July 2 2006
By Cardinal47 - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Blood Hunt (Hardcover)
I have read most of Rankin's Inspector Rebus series and enjoyed them. Fans of Rebus may be disappointed because this is quite a different book. I was not. I found the story quite well developed, the characters interesting and the international conspiracy quite believable.Fans of Ludlum and other international thriller writers will find it hard to put down.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better than Rebus, Jan 8 2007
By Ohng - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Blood Hunt (Hardcover)
Sure the main character is overdone, the plotting would not stand up to close analysis, and the "philosophy" is basically garbage but the story moves and is competently written. What more can one ask for in a thriller? Jack Higgins made a fine living out of similar stuff which was not nearly as good. Four stars, perhaps because the competition in this genre has become so weak.