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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
great early novel, 21 Jan 2004
Planning this review in my head, before I’d even begun the book, I’d expected to find myself saying things like, though good, Watchman clearly demonstrates how Rankin’s talent has evolved, developed and grown in the many years since this book was first published. Things like that. Sentences which basically said that this was a good enough early effort, but was not to the standard of his later stuff. When reading it, I found those preconceptions blown away, as this is, if spy novels are your thing, is a great book. True, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as his Rebus books, but that’s probably just down to preference, as this is, technically speaking at least, just as good some of his other stuff. A summary of the plot is probably not really necessary. I shall just let it be said that it concerns one Miles Flint, a “watchman” for MI5 (i.e. a man of observation, not of action) and some explosive events… As Rankin himself notes in his new introduction, the pace of the book is very different from his Rebus stuff. It clips along with a great speed, switching from scene to scene brilliantly. The result is, of course, a fast little book to read, which is admirably spare: even though it’s quick and with not a superfluous word, though, the writing is rich and clear, the plotting complex, if a little sharp. Miles Flint is also a great character. Similar to Rebus in many ways, he is still distinctive enough to be fresh and interesting. Like Rebus, he has that x factor, although he is less a man of action, more a pensive, laid-back observer. Too, his fascination with beetles makes for a brilliant spin, and some very effective little metaphors! Another thing that Rankin notes is how much of its time this book is, in that it the characters don’t have mobile phones, or even home PC’s. That being said and true, that doesn’t by any means mean that this book is dated. Indeed, in some ways it is remarkably modern and up-to-date. While I would recommend it, certainly, I would not recommend it unreservedly to people who like Rankin solely for his Rebus series, as the style is markedly different. Liking Rebus does not mean you will definitely like this. Indeed, it is very possible that you will, that you will like it a great deal, it is not a given. Be wary, is what I’m saying. But for any Rankin fan this certainly must be at least given a look, and fans of the genre would do well to read this and see a talented author extending his range even further.
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