The Naming of the Dead

Another very good book by Rankin along with Rebus, his hero with flaws (booze, cigars, unusual humour, and his rock music) and his equally interesting partner Siobhan. In this novel, Rebus is taking stock of his 30 year career and as always is at constant odds with his superiors.
The plot's backdrop is the G8 summit in 2005 in Scotland intertwined with three supposed serial murders and a dead MP. Overall a very good read with satisfying conclusion keeping the reader questioning to the very end.

A murder (actually several) set amidst the demonstrations and riots of the G8 Summit near Edinburgh in 2005. I gather Rankin novels are often dark, or at least portray a dark image of Edinburgh (this was my first Rankin read) but this one struck me as somewhat lighthearted and tongue in cheek, what with cameo appearances by George Bush (dangerous man on a bicycle) and Bob Geldoff. Nevertheless the plot is intricate and the protagonist iconoclastic and curmudgeonly (do all British police detectives come with major character flaws? e.g. Colin Dexter's Insp. Morse). A good read for fans of crime/mystery fiction.

Pretty good book by Ranking. Unfortunately, this series is a victim of its own success. The book would be much less entertaining for someone who hasn't followed Rebus's adventures from the beginning

Love this author. Great read. Wonderful twists and complications. Makes you want a drink though