Ian Rankin Forum

Ian Rankin

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Ian Rankin is probably the best modern detective writer of the last decade. Curently, I am doing an English Literature project on "Hide and Seek" - it's a great little novel, and I'd reccomend it

>>By stu (Saturday, 25 Jan 2003 13:01)

What appeals about Ian Rankin's books is the venue (Edinburgh) and the sense of being there that Rankin provides; the dialogue that rings true; the characters, both good and bad, who are well-drawn; John Rebus, the flawed cop, in all his human frailness, who nonetheless inspires admiration and sympathy. The plots on occasion are a little contrived, but that somehow doesn't detract from the story. Rather, they give a sense of the universe folding in on itself.

Rankin does have a 'formula', but not an overt one, and was smart to have retained the Rebus character for so many of the novels. While not great literature, these books offer great entertainment, at least for me, with just enough vagueness, and not too much overhandedness, in keeping the stories coherent.

>>By denden (Saturday, 8 Mar 2008 17:22)

My favourite detective writer is currently Anne Perry. I know nothing about Ian Rankin, but as he writes with Edinburgh as his venue, perhaps I should start to read one of Ian's books.

>>By Pennydrop (Sunday, 9 Mar 2008 13:58)

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