- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Orion; New edition edition (12 Jan 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0752809423
- ISBN-13: 978-0752809427
- Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 11 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 331,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Knots And Crosses
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"His is a superbly drawn character; matched by the edgy authenticity of the Scottish locale and dialogue."
--Marcel Berlins, "The Times" "Suspenseful riddling, with exemplary eye to the plod of police through civic jungle."
--"Sunday Times" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--Marcel Berlins, "The Times" "Suspenseful riddling, with exemplary eye to the plod of police through civic jungle."
--"Sunday Times" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
THE SCOTSMAN interviewed Ian in Orkney about the special Highland Park Rebus20 Whisky. This ran as a double page interview with Susan Mansfield on 23 November. In the same issue they ran a news story about the future of Rebus The announcement of the special Rebus20 whisky was coveraged in DAILY EXPRESS (23 Nov). THE SCOTSMAN ran a double page interview feature on Saturday 27 January to cover the announcement of the special Rebus20 ale from the Caledonian Brewery. WHISKY MAGAZINE ran a competition to win a bottle of Rebus20 and a signed copy of limited Collectors Edition of Knots and Crosses THE PUBLICAN ran a feature on the beer and whisky in the 27 March issue THE INDEPENDENT ran a news piece about the 20th anniversary mentioning the collector's edition and the beer and whisky Ian wrote a piece 'Why I Love Pubs' for THE PUBLICAN magazine 18 Jan MYSTERY SCENE (spring 07) ran cover story and 3-page feature on 20th anniversary. INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY ran a feature on 20th anniversary and Edinburgh for travel pages. This will be cover story on 25 March. SCOTTISH FIELD (1 May) ran feature on Ian choosing Highland Park for Rebus20 THE SCOTSMAN have run a week long charity auction from Saturday 17 March to raise money for Ian's favourite charity, Edinburgh-based SNIPS. This offers an array of prizes which readers can bid for on-line on Friday 23 March. The week was launched with an interview with Ian in the paper plus a feature on the Top 10 books that inspired his writing. There was also a free Highland Park miniature given away to all readers and full page adverts for the charity auction. The special Rebus 20 week culminates with a special free Ian Rankin short story book (also trailed with full page ad in Sat 17 March edition) given away with the Saturday 24 March edition. The week-long campaign has been supported by TV advertising by THE SCOTSMAN and has been heavily trailed in previous editions. TIMES ONLINE have recorded a podcast with Ian in Edinburgh about 20th anniversary and Edinburgh. R5 SIMON MAYO interview 19 March BBC RADIO SCOTLAND Fred Macaulay interview 19 March R2 'STEVE WRIGHT' did plug and giveaway EDINBURGH EVE NEWS ran piece on 29 May about Writers Museum Exhibition
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was recommended to Rankin's works by a very well read friend of mine, who, fortunately, warned me that the Rebus novels improve with each subsequent book.
Having now read the next three books I can confirm that that statement is true, but I would strongly advise that anyone wanting to 'get into' Rebus should most definately read them in order as there are themes that run through the books, and you really do start to build up a very good mental picture of the inspectors life, loves, work colleagues and family.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
'Knots and Crosses' is the first book in Rankin's Rebus series. Several young girls have been kidnapped and murdered in Edinburgh and the murderer seems intent on getting Rebus to pursue him by sending Rebus cryptic notes. All the notes contain either a knotted piece of twine or two crossed matches. To solve the case, Rebus must confront aspects of his past that he would much rather forget.
The introduction to the novel is really interesting as Rankin reflects on his work and points out the flaws that he now sees. It's fascinating to watch the progression of a novelist from their own perspective.
I liked the novel very much. It's short and pacey, but I think that the character develops much further in later novels and is more psychologically and intellectually realistic later on which is why I've only given it three stars. Nevertheless, recommended.
The introduction to the novel is really interesting as Rankin reflects on his work and points out the flaws that he now sees. It's fascinating to watch the progression of a novelist from their own perspective.
I liked the novel very much. It's short and pacey, but I think that the character develops much further in later novels and is more psychologically and intellectually realistic later on which is why I've only given it three stars. Nevertheless, recommended.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The first of the Rebus novels and interesting as a source of background for the more developed character who would emerge in later works. This is a very limited piece of writing - the sort a teacher might describe as "showing promise". Rankin goes on to much better work, and his growth in literary maturity and confidence will shine through.
Rankin uses a simple, direct plot. He imports clichés - serial killer, revenge, the policeman and his family under threat. He hasn't made up his mind whether to write a police procedural or a thriller. He doesn't really nail his colours to the mast, so the plot and the characterisation drift innocuously in places. Even the background colour of Edinburgh is sparse - as if it might be a marketing mistake to make the book too Scottish ... or as if no one could believe evil would visit Edinburgh.
Indeed, Rankin does agonise at places in the book, reminding the reader that Edinburgh has its own history of grave robbers and murderers, that the city might present itself as a tourist, cultural, and political centre, but it is also a city which experiences violence, drugs, poverty. And it's the city of Stevenson, the source, perhaps, of his Jekyll and Hyde.
So "Knots and Crosses" is a bit coy. There is little use of Scots languages - it's a very English novel in that sense. This is far removed from, say, "Trainspotting". It introduces Rankin, a police sergeant who believes in god but who can't find a church he quite believes in. He's a man with a failed marriage, a fragile relationship with his daughter, and a successful brother. And Rebus is a man with a military past who is now being plagued with anonymous letters which distract his attention from a spate of murders which have begun to trouble the city.
The plot is a bit simplistic, it doesn't take much effort to work out whodunnit, the conclusion lacks tension and drama, the characters are a bit flat ... and Rebus' military background is provided courtesy of reading a book on the SAS. Rankin doesn't really get inside the man. Instead, he toys with a stereotype.
He resolves this in later novels. Rankin does grow enormously as an author in his later works, and it is well worth persevering. Reading "Knots and Crosses" helps you understand the development of the author rather than the character, but it does give insights into the series. However, I would advise you to buy "Rebus: The Early Years", which offers an anthology of the first three Rebus novels ("Knots and Crosses", " Hide and Seek", and " Tooth and Nail"). This is far better value, and it will help you see the growth and maturity in Rankin's writing rather than just dismissing him because of the limited nature of his first creation.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Knots & Crosses
I enjoyed the book and have since ordered and I am nearly half way through it.
I will continue to order books by Ian Rankin
I will continue to order books by Ian Rankin
Published 24 days ago by Terry
My first attempt at Ian Rankin
This author was recommended to me as I was an avid Peter Robinson fan. Love it and couldn't put it down. A good insight and the start of another good writer.
Published 1 month ago by Lovesreading
knots and crosses
this was a fascinating book ,full of detail about Edinburgh's secret places ,a gripping story from start to finish which had you guessing about the final out come ,i would give... Read more
Published 2 months ago by bramwell
A good, if slightly pretentious, read
The first book in Ian Rankin's 'John Rebus' series, written 27 years ago, features the detective assigned to the case of an Edinburgh child-murderer who leaves suspiciously few... Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. R. Johnson-Rollings
Ian Rankin - Knots and Crosses
One of those authors who captures you from start to finish. I read this book in ONE DAY - just could not put it down. Highly recommended!
Published 8 months ago by S B DEMPSTER
Brilliant beginning for Rebus
I enjoyed Inspector Rebus' debut, by Rankin, so much so, that I've begun reading them all in order and there are quite a lot of them!
Published 8 months ago by D. Smith
IN THE BEGINNING....
Ian Rankin's first Rebus novel. (Mine too.) DS Rebus is a troubled soul "in a little prison-cell of his own construction", not fully recovered from the breakdown caused by army... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. D. L. Rees
Don't bother.
I read a lot, and many different genres. I will read anything that is well written, and even some that are ill written as long as the premise is sound. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Madtrout
Knots and Crosses
This is my first read at an Ian Rankin novel, just so happens to be his first Rebus novel and have found it a great read. Read more
Published 9 months ago by John
knots & CROSSES
Whilst it was Rankin's first Rebus book it did lack just a bit of something that is very hard to put a finger on. Not his best but..........
Published 9 months ago by Mr. R. Cope
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