- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Orion; New edition edition (6 Sep 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 075284413X
- ISBN-13: 978-0752844138
- Product Dimensions: 18 x 11.1 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 812,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Dead Souls
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
When an author is as successful as Rankin has been with his tough and idiomatic Scottish thrillers, a problem sets in after several books: How to keep the formula fresh?
Rankin has delivered a powerful series of books featuring his beleaguered DI John Rebus and while never less than gripping, a certain tiredness seemed to be setting in. Thankfully, this new novel is a resounding return to form, with a plot as enjoyably labyrinthine as any Rankin enthusiast could wish and pithy dialogue that fairly leaps off the page. Stalking the streets of Edinburgh on the trail of a poisoner, Rebus hits upon a freed paedophile and his subsequent outing of the man leaves him with very mixed feelings. But another problem develops for Rebus: A convicted murderer has him in his sights for some lethal games. And the tabloid press lionising of Rebus won't help him in this situation. As always, Rankin is perfectly ready to tackle contentious issues--precisely the thing that gives his books their powerful sense of veracity. And Rebus, no longer in danger of having a soap opera-like accumulation of personal problems, seems as fresh and well-observed a character as in those first exhilarating books. Rankin has caught his form again, with even more assurance. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
Stalking a poisoner at the local zoo, Edinburgh Police Inspector John Rebus comes across a paedophile taking pictures of children. When the social workers claim he is there for legitimate educational reasons, Rebus is faced with a dilemma - should he be outed to protect local kids or given a chance to start anew? As the locals begin a hate campaign he gets a call from the past - the son of a friend has gone missing and no one else will make time to ask the right questions. And then a fragment of Scotland's criminal history is repatriated at the end of a life sentence for murder. Once more Rebus's cup of trouble runneth over and the ghosts of past misdeeds return to haunt Edinburgh's streets.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Another intriguing Rebus novel, with lots going on, plenty of suspense, and lots of good Edinburgh insights. My first Rebus novel was The Falls - this second reading of Rebus shows what a master Rankin is as you see how the character develops. I think I'm going to now read the series through and start with book 1 so that I can follow things through chronologically. If you've not read Rankin before then I recommend you do - mind you - you'll find you can't put it down - so make sure you've got some time on your hands!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the first of Ian Rankin's books I have read and I will definitely be coming back for more. His hero, Rebus, is a complex, flawed but realistic detective. Serial killer Cary Oakes is a chilling and intelligent adversary. Rankin writes exceptionally well. Dead Souls has numerous sub-plots, each as interesting as the main story. The loose ends are tied together in a satisfying and exciting climax. I would definitely recommend this book to all those hard-to-please lovers of crime fiction.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having read several Ian Rankin novels prior to Dead Souls, this novel reaches new heights of readability.
Previous novels have seen the development of the John Rebus character and provided enough details to keep the reader uncertain of which side of the line Rebus will step to next.
Having developed the chararcter in some very dark novels such as 'Tooth and Nail' it would appear that Dead Souls concentrates more on the story and the surroundings. With the novel set in Edinburgh this is an excellent feature.
Dead Souls follows several storylines which are connected to Rebus, as you would expect in everyday life - a similar style of writing to the 'Frost' books by R D Wingfield.
This book for me was particularly enjoyable, I found it lighter(not in content but in mood) than the previous novels such as 'Black and Blue' and 'The Hanging Garden'. I also found that this was the first Ian Rankin novel that I could read and read, you feel as if you are in Edinburgh yourself at some points and could almost be one of the chararcters.
The other excellent feature with not only Dead Souls but all of the Rebus novels are the cross references to previous situations and stories that have been featured in other books, the balance is perfect, enough to trigger memories of previous books for those that have read them, however not too many to deter those that have not read any Rebus novels before.
Overall the characters, storyline and surroundings of this novel are excellent and provide thought-provoking read.
Previous novels have seen the development of the John Rebus character and provided enough details to keep the reader uncertain of which side of the line Rebus will step to next.
Having developed the chararcter in some very dark novels such as 'Tooth and Nail' it would appear that Dead Souls concentrates more on the story and the surroundings. With the novel set in Edinburgh this is an excellent feature.
Dead Souls follows several storylines which are connected to Rebus, as you would expect in everyday life - a similar style of writing to the 'Frost' books by R D Wingfield.
This book for me was particularly enjoyable, I found it lighter(not in content but in mood) than the previous novels such as 'Black and Blue' and 'The Hanging Garden'. I also found that this was the first Ian Rankin novel that I could read and read, you feel as if you are in Edinburgh yourself at some points and could almost be one of the chararcters.
The other excellent feature with not only Dead Souls but all of the Rebus novels are the cross references to previous situations and stories that have been featured in other books, the balance is perfect, enough to trigger memories of previous books for those that have read them, however not too many to deter those that have not read any Rebus novels before.
Overall the characters, storyline and surroundings of this novel are excellent and provide thought-provoking read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dead Souls: Dead Slow
"Dead Souls" starts so slowly and drearily that I almost gave up. Only the story of the missing teenager kept me reading - it seems human and touching - but the book plods along... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. Ross Maynard
Shannon.R
Personally I would view this book as one of Ian Rankins best books along with Mortal Causes and are both real page turners all the way through. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Ms. Helen L. Richardson
Deeply Felt Mystery That Deals with Sensitive Material
"Dead Souls," is tenth, and by no means least, in the detective Chief Inspector John Rebus series by the outstanding author Ian Rankin, currently the best-selling author of... Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2010 by Stephanie DePue
Deals With Sensitive Material and Deeply Felt
"Dead Souls," is tenth, and by no means least, in the detective Chief Inspector John Rebus series by the outstanding author Ian Rankin, currently the best-selling author of... Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2010 by Stephanie DePue
Rebus again
Another Rebus novel from Rankin. Another long enough, twisted enough plot to keep you entertained. I know that for many, style, literary expertise, plot strength etc is really... Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2010 by Elder Gutknecht
dead souls
having seen this on tv, the story is familiar, but so much better as a book. as a long time rebus fan, this book is excellent as ususal
Published on 28 Oct 2009 by I. E. Everett
Entertaining!
I thought Dead Souls was an excellent read, not least because 3 seemingly unrelated plots cleverly entwine and twist around each other. Read more
Published on 18 Sep 2009 by C. Bright
Another tale from Edinburgh's underbelly
"Dead Souls" is perhaps one of the most accessible of Ian Rankin's "Rebus" novels. It has a three stranded plot; the suicide of a policeman linked to the activities of a group of... Read more
Published on 6 July 2008 by L. Davidson
typical Rebus
IF YOU ENJOY READING IAN RANKIN YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED WITH
THIS BOOK.TYPICAL REBUS AT HIS BEST.
THIS BOOK.TYPICAL REBUS AT HIS BEST.
Published on 12 Jun 2008 by K. S. Kandola
For "Dead Souls" read Dead Prose, Dead Plots
The yards of portentous sub-acedemic prose quoted on the back of paperbacks like "Dead Souls", which would make you think you're about to read Dickens or Dostoievsky. Read more
Published on 2 May 2003 by MR C TERRY
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