A John Rebus instalment without any action and without any of the
Edinburgh atmosphere which this series usually oozes. However the
plotting and characterizations, especially the character interactions, are
still as good as ever.
A body is found in the boot of a car with police handcuffs around the
ankles. Turns out to be an old case, but the car has obviously been moved
recently, creating a new case which ravels together the old one, the shady
policing of yesteryear, and the history of crime in the province. Rebus,
working unofficially as a retired officer, manipulates the old and new
police, the press, and the criminal fraternity to make connections and
help the investigation along, principally being carried on by his former
associate Siobhan Clarke.
After you get to know the whole criminal family and their chaotic
relationships, the final resolution of all the plotting is also as good as
it gets, making this a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile read. |
