- Hardcover
- Publisher: Book Club Associates (2007)
- ASIN: B004H0YYN8
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,254,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Black And Blue: An Inspector Rebus Novel 8
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First Sentence
'Tell me again why you killed them.' Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
'Tell me again why you killed them.' Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a great detective book with a number of plot threads to keep you hooked. I demolished this book in only a few short reading sessions desperate to find out not only who serial killer Johnny Bible was but how this would tie in with the resolution of everything else Ian Rankin has packed into this story.
John Rebus is now a strong central character and Ian Rankin has also created a strong cast of characters centred both around Rebus's home and work life.
This series of books have a definate reading order and events in one book often effect future stories. Despite this Black & Blue may be a good book to start with - Rankin is very much at the height of his powers on this story. Black & Blue gives a much better account of how good his books can be than some of the earlier novels.
Although this book talks about events in Rankin's 'Knots & Crosses' tale the ending of that is never given away. Other plot points from other stories are alluded to but, in my opinion, should not reduce your enjoyment of his earlier tales.
So if you want a solid, intelligent, exciting detective story with added Scottish grit (and humour) look no further.
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As this was my first Rebus book, i was a little sceptical at first, however I was proved wrong. So much that I've started buying the other books in the series. This book has insane attention to detail and the research for this book is incredible. The dialogue is also stunning, realistic and is packed with humour. Rankin uses dialogue with the precision of a chess master and techniques far beyond my expectations. Being a citizen of Aberdeen, i found the detail very accurate and i could picture the settings in my mind with ease. The description in this story also creates images and pictures that make the book easy to understand. You can picture what people look like from Rebus' descriptions. Dont listen to the Yanks who have read the Rebus novels and hate them- They arent Scots so they wouldnt understand our slang and culture. Just buy it.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Inspector John Rebus returns in a multi-stranded novel, ostensibly starting with the murder of a North Sea oil worker in Edinburgh, with ramifications including an old and new serial killer, an investigative TV program claiming a miscarriage of justice and vicious gangland drug operations. Ian Rankin is bang up to date with his background and brings these diverse strands brilliantly together to a satisfying and realistic conclusion.
Perhaps the strongest feature of Rankin's writing is his evocation of the social, political and of course criminal landscape of modern Scotland, and this novel is no exception as Rebus travels between Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen and then on to Shetland and the North Sea itself to follow his leads and make his cases. Rankin's narrative sweeps along as strong as ever and the occasional implausibilities and jarring cliches just do not seem to matter.
All in all, Rankin continues on form in another richly satisfying and gripping read. If you like crime fiction, you'll love Ian Rankin's books.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
black and blue
Found this book very slow and had a problem to keep going to the end. Not one of his best.
Published 12 months ago by T. Bull
He Clocks Up the Miles in This One
"Black and Blue," (1997) is eighth in the Detective Chief Inspector John Rebus series, by the outstanding, award-winning, author Ian Rankin, currently the best-selling author of... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Stephanie DePue
Magnificently Complex
In this wonderfully written book, Ian Rankin weaves a multiplicity of storylines (at least four storylines but I lost count) with ease. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. Ross Maynard
A bit different from the norm.
I can't make my mind up about Rebus books - I find sometimes the dour nature of the main character takes something from the story, but not so here. Read more
Published on 23 April 2010 by Nautical
Rankin and Rebus, low odds..
Low odds, because it's always a winning concept.
John rebus, the half alcoholic, half outcast, much hated DI is back. Read more
John rebus, the half alcoholic, half outcast, much hated DI is back. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2008 by B. Jonsson
One of the greatest novels of the 1990s in any genre
I don't usually post reviews to amazon but felt that this book shouldn't have a two-star critique at the head of its feedback. Read more
Published on 29 May 2007 by S. R. Body
Wicked!
I picked this book up simply because it featured in a 3 for 2 offer at Dublin airport and I needed something to read on the way home from the Republic. Read more
Published on 20 July 2004 by "aaron_atkinson_16"
Vintage Rebus
Rebus really outdoes himself in this book. He manages to get himself into serious trouble by annoying superior officers in three different cities at the same time…and I... Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2003 by Untouchable
For those that don't know...
Another great read. Admittedly not the best from him, but good all the same. In order to fully appreciate the any series one needs to start as close to the beginning as possible. Read more
Published on 7 Aug 2001
black & blue - extremely hard work
I was inspired to read one of Ian Rankin's novels after listing to a radio interview with him. During the interview Rankin brought Inspector Rebus to life with vivid descriptions... Read more
Published on 17 April 2001
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