Customer Reviews

The Falls

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Product Description above summarizes this intricate thriller well, with Detective Inspector Rebus following two different leads in connection with the disappearance of a student in Edinburgh.

This was the first book I read by Mr. Rankin and all I want to say is, it was truly captivating. An edge-of-the-seat book, gripping from page one. I'm looking forward to read some more of his work.

One of the great things about the Rebus novels is the subdued character conflicts at play underneath the plots and subplots. Not only does one come away from Rankin's work, particularly the later Rebus books, with a wonderful sense of place and atmosphere, but the characterization is so strong that even the second and third level characters are developed enough to stand on their own. The downside of this, which is unavoidable, is that the book tends to grow long in spots. That notwithstanding, the Rebus series is an excellent one. DS Siobhan Clarke has become more prominent in these books as well, and I can't help but wonder if she isn't being lined up for a series of her own.

I love Ian Rankin's Rebus series, even though I am constantly amazed at the extent to which Rebus is able to drink and hold down a job -- I think the Scots are more tolerant of heavy drinkers than American employers would be.

That having been said, reading this mystery was like a trip to Edinburgh as someone who lives and works there sees the city -- a city with very deep roots in history, still influenced by events that occurred hundreds of years ago, living under the shadow of a castle and with history in every building.

The plot involves the disappearance of a wealthy young college student, who was supposed to be meeting friends for drinks and never shows up. Because of who she is, all the stops are pulled out to find her, and Rebus finds himself one of many working on this case. He believes from the start that she has been killed and he is investigating a homicide. He also thinks there's some connection between her death and some miniature coffins that have been found from time to time, and there's a possibility that her death is connected to a puzzle-solving computer game she's been playing.

If you like mysteries that make you think, that really challenge your intelligence and are written with literary skill that will make them timeless classics, Rankin is an author for you. This is my fourth book by him and I'm relishing reading more in the series.

This is one of those books that you read, and after you're finished, you're not sure if you liked it or not. It wasn't great, but there is nothing really wrong with it. It wasn't boring, it didn't drag on, but it also didn't captivate you.

A detective is working on a case similar to those annoying rich girl missing girl cases that randomly appears everywhere. This book explores this Scottish case, along with some internal police politics, and the lives of a few detectives. Intermingling clues concerning dolls, autopsies, and an Internet game all come together to help solve the mystery.

As with any mystery, the main part is the ending, and even though not terrible, it is pretty contrived and non-climatic.

The New York Public Library is suffering for lack of books - so I took out The Falls by Ian Rankin because there was not much to choose from (I'm not a fan of police procedurals from the UK usually, but in this book Edinburgh is to the UK as NY is to the US). What a lucky break - this book is character driven and even though you immediately realize that this is an ongoing series the book stands alone. I found another book by Ian Rankin in the libray - I have the Dead Souls and I'm glad I found him. I wonder if Ian Rankin ever read George Higgins?

As a longtime reader of British mystery books, I have many favorite authors, but I think Ian Rankin is at the top of the list. His books are not "cosies" like Agatha Christie, but darker, moodier stories, as far from the small village setting as thay can get. This latest book is another great example of Rankin's ability to spin a great mystery story while involving the reader in John Rebus' life, good and bad, and it usually is more the latter! Wherever you start in the Rebus series, here or an earlier book, just START! You won't be sorry and you won't need any encouragement to finish all of his books.

The new John Rebus book is outstanding. The " Falls", the latest installment in the series, finds Rebus at his dark and brooding best. The cast of characters at the station and the pubs seem so real , it's almost like you know them, by sight. Siobhan Clark and John are surrounded by other great characters who also prove to be as believable and human as John is. There is also the cast of weasels that you'll just love to loathe. There are some wicked twist and turns in this book. The book is hard to put down...............................Read them all, I haven't found a bad one yet ...............

Ian Rankin has managed to drag Edinburgh DI John Rebus into the 21st century. In this fine novel Rebus (through Siobhan Clarke) goes out onto the Internet to make contact with a killer. A rather complicated plot that involves the history of Edinburgh and moves a little slowly, but eventually reaches a rather satisfying conclusion.
The Rebus character becomes even more complex as the detective confronts his own mortality (and bad habits), considers selling his flat, gets a new boss, and finds a new lady friend.
Not Rankin's best, but it may be Rankin at his best. I enjoyed the book immensely, and have already ordered the new novel from England.

This Rebus novel is quite different from the rest of the cannon. It seems somehow less dark, les forbidding, but that is just on the surface. Underneath it is just as dark and sinister as the rest of them, but this time that darkness is carried over more subtely, so much so that you don't even notice.

Ian Rankin's prose is sharp and often witty, and his Edinbuirgh (Which in this is perhaps at the most vivid it ever has been) is superbly drawn. I live a long way away from the city, and have never been there, yet i still get an intense picture of it in my mind. Rankin's Edinburgh pulses with energy and throbs with a dark sinister evil that you cant quite place.

The plot in this one contains no big gansters, no organised crime. Just a simple (appearing so at first, at least) puzzle about the disappearance of a young girl. Also, as a subplot Rankin brilliantly interweaves the step back into history, and as Rebus excavates the soil surrounding the truth about the Arthur's Seat coffins. All of it is very cleverly done, and you want to know the solution to each puzzle, even though one is centred years and years in the past, equally as much.

Rebus is more sombre this time around, and you get the sense that he is slowing down somewhat, Rankin as well as Rebus. And with his new love interest (who is the most promising of the lot) we begin to see a bright new spark in John, as he glimpses something for him which lies past the job...

This is a very good book, and Rankin is one of the shining stars of British writing. Long may he continue to be so. ....

I have read all of Ian Rankin's works, mainly because I enjoy his writing style and his descriptions of Edinburgh and environs. This book is not one of his best from plot or suspense angle, however. If you are new to the Inspector Rebus series, I'd start with an earlier one like Knots and Crosses or Black and Blue.