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The Falls (Paperback)

by Ian Rankin (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
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Product details

  • Paperback: 512 pages
  • Publisher: Orion (7 Aug 2008)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 075288364X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0752883649
  • Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 3.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 58,235 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #54 in  Books > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Authors, A-Z > R > Rankin, Ian > Complete List

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
Success has a price, and the remarkable acclaim (both critical and commercial) that greeted the gritty Edinburgh-set crime novels of Ian Rankin has set the author a considerable problem. How does he maintain the freshness of detail and atmosphere that have made his books such riveting reading? And how does he keep his tough detective DI John Rebus from degenerating into a series of mannerisms? If Raymond Chandler grew tired of Philip Marlowe and Conan Doyle of Holmes, Rankin would have been in good company if he gave up on Rebus. Fortunately, his belief in the character clearly remains as powerful as ever, and The Falls is the most impressive Rebus novel in many a moon. The detective's personal problems--overused of late--are wisely sidelined in order to concentrate on a highly intriguing (and topical) plot.

When a student vanishes in Edinburgh, there is pressure on Rebus to find her, particularly as she is the scion of a family of extremely rich bankers. Needless to say, this is more than just the case of a spoilt rich girl breaking out of the cage of family responsibilities, and a carved wooden doll in a coffin found in her home village leads Rebus to the Internet role-playing game that she was involved in. And when DC Siobhan Clarke, a key member of Rebus' team, tackles the Virtual Quizmaster, Rankin finds himself struggling to save her from the same fate as the missing girl.

Consummate plotting has always been Rankin's trademark, and that skill is put to maximum use here. The balance between developing the characterisation of the ill-assorted team of coppers that Rebus assembles and the labyrinthine twists of the plot is maintained with an iron hand, and Rankin's mordant eye remains as keen as ever:

"You okay, John?" Curt reached out a hand and touched his shoulder. Rebus shook his head slowly, eyes squeezed shut. Curt didn't make it out the first time, so Rebus had to repeat what he said next: "I don't believe in heaven." That was the horror of it. This life was the only one you got. No redemption afterwards, no chance of wiping the slate clean and starting over. Rebus said "There is no justice in the world." "You'd know more about that than I would", Curt replied.

--Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

x
'The scene setting is vivid and the narration by a Scot, actor James Macpherson, essential to bringing the story to life --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Customer Reviews

46 Reviews
5 star:
 (26)
4 star:
 (14)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (4)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (46 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Another great Rankin read, 28 Mar 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: The Falls (Inspector Rebus series) (Hardcover)
A strong, plot-driven murder mystery and a further look into the life of John Rebus, and increasingly, the equally strong Siobhan Clarke.

Rebus's character has developed brilliantly, and the way characters from previous novels appear again is deftly handled, almost like a crime Dance to the Music of Time.

It's not the strongest in the series, perhaps because of the lack of a more apparent nemesis for Rebus, either in the police force or in the crime underworld. That said, the standard of the series is so incredibly high that this is not intended as a slight.

Highly recommended if you've already read Rebus, but if not, start at least with Black and Blue, if not at the beginning of the series.

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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Another gripping story from the master crime writer., 29 Mar 2001
By R. LEWIS "Sandwick Bairn" (Shetland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Falls (Inspector Rebus series) (Hardcover)
Ian Rankin's The Falls continues John Rebus's war against crime in Edinburgh. Again the story line had me hooked from the start and I didn't want to put the book down so the almost 400 pages proved an easy read. The plot involves Internet games, which regular readers of Rebus will not be surprised to learn that he leaves to others to play out, and the usual trying to link historical characters - Burke and Hare this time - with a modern disappearance of a wealthy Banker's daughter. He does seem to be getting a bit mellow in his old age however and looks to take the blame on a few occasions.

Ian Rankin always comes up with a plot that has everyone wondering - right through to the end and with the help of the usual cast of characters Rebus comes up with the answers.

Having read all of the Rebus series, at least twice, it's difficulat to know what a first time Rebus reader will think of the storyline. If I was comparing to other detective novels this would get another five star rating but I'm only going to give it four out of five as I'm comparing it to the other Rebus novels.

Good stuff.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A Gripping Novel that you can't put down, 19 Mar 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: The Falls (Inspector Rebus) (Paperback)
This is the first Rebus novel I have read and it will not be the last. I have just ordered some of the earlier books. I thought it was a brilliant read which kept you guessing right till near the very end. The characters that have obviously appeared in previous novels were described enough to get to know them. I liked the pace of the book as it was more like real life, when crimes are not solved instantly. This book has definately turned me into a Ian Rankin/Rebus fan
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Falls flat
I approached this novel as a newcomer to the world of DI John Rebus, the fact I have lived in Edinburgh for the past two and a half years notwithstanding. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Reuben

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Rebus
Revolving around the disappearance of a university student, Rankin's tightly structured plot encompasses a genuine historical mystery (doll's coffins left on Arthur's Seat) and... Read more
Published 8 months ago by tybalt-quin

4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing plot
The summary of this thriller is well described by the Amazon.co.uk Reviews above and by most reviewers. This was the first book I read by Mr. Read more
Published 22 months ago by I LOVE BOOKS

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent dramatization
I have not read any Inspector Rebus books,but Bert Coules' dramatization of this one kept me on the edge of my seat. Great story, great characters, acting and music. Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2007 by Ian

5.0 out of 5 stars Next Sherlock?
This was the first novel I had from Ian Rankin. Since then I cannot stop thinking that Inspector Rebus could be our modern Sherlock Holmes. Read more
Published on 29 Mar 2007 by J. P. Plenge

5.0 out of 5 stars 'The Falls' by Ian Rankin.
Amazingly good! This was the 1st novel i had read b Ian Rankin and now i have read a few more since because this one was sooo good! Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2006 by Ms. Lm Pelly

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, great writer
I love Ian Rankin and i personally think that this is one of his best. If you recently watched the dramatisation of this on ITV with Ken Stott as Rebus then dont worry as there is... Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2006 by ls180581

4.0 out of 5 stars Roslyn Chapel cameo
Roslyn Chapel makes a cameo appearance in this John Rebus detective story, as does the land around it, once favored by Sir Walter Scott and Romantic artists (see recent exhibit at... Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2005 by johnnybird

4.0 out of 5 stars Rebus Meets the Internet - But Has Rankin...?
I'm a great fan of the Rebus series, and I started this one with high hopes. I've always been impressed with Rankin's research and eye for detail. But not this time. Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2004 by oakleafcircle@aol.com

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling plot, wonderfully read
I liked both the book by Ian Rankin as the reading by James MacPherson.
From the beginning you know that the wooden coffins as well as the computer game have everything to do... Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2003 by Hilde Marien

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