rureading, who participates in the Canada Day challenge that I host each year, sent me a package with this book and another Ian Rankin mystery. I've had these books on my wish list for a while because Ian Rankin has retired John Rebus, the curmudgeonly police inspector with the Edinburgh Police Force. Since there were no other Rebus books to look forward to (Rankin continues to write and his books are great but I really liked Rebus)I decided to start reading all the back list. But these books are hard to get so I was really thrilled to get two as a RABCK.

This is #6 in the Rebus series. I didn't discover this series until The Falls which is #12. When Rankin decided to retire Rebus I decided that I was going to read all the books before The Falls. Since Rebus' retirement he has appeared in more books. In fact, Rankin is appearing in Winnipeg in a week to read from his latest. I am still continuing to read the back list but I only have one more so I'm glad to know I have some new ones to read.

This book is set in Edinburgh in August of 1993 but Northern Ireland is omnipresent. Rebus served in the army in Northern Ireland and saw a lot of violence there. So when he is called to a murder in which the victim was shot seven times (twice in his ankles, twice in his knees and twice in the elbows with a final shot to the head) he recognizes the pattern as what was called a six-pack used by paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland to punish someone who stepped out of line. So from the beginning the police suspect that Irish supporters might be responsible for the murder. When the victim is identified he turns out to be the illegitimate son of Morris Gerald Cafferty, the mob boss that Rebus put in prison. The victim never knew who his father was but Cafferty had always kept an eye on him and sent money for his support. Now Cafferty is determined that the person or people responsible for his son's death be caught (and killed). Rebus gets seconded to the Scottish Crime Squad who are involved because of the connection to terrorism but he also spends time with his home police station who continue to investigate the murder. It gives Rebus a lot of freedom to pursue his own ideas. It also gives him some time to get involved with a female lawyer from the Procurator Fiscal's office. He knows this is wrong since he is living with Patience Aitken but he can't seem to help himself. Rebus has a complicated love life.

I have to say I had a little difficulty following the twists and turns of this book; maybe I can blame it on the head cold I am suffering from. I did enjoy all the details about the Edinburgh Festival which is on when this book takes place. Old Town and New Town sound really interesting and I am hoping to get there soon but I think I'll pass on visiting the Garibaldi Housing Estate where some of the bad guys live.

This book is off in the mail to mathgirl40 who had it on her wishlist. I tagged her in the Canada Wishlist Tag Game.

When you find a BookCrossing book it is yours to do with what you like. You can read it and keep it or pass it on or if you don't think it is your kind of book pass it on to someone who might like it or release it in a spot for someone else to find like you just did. Whatever you choose it would be great if you could write a short note letting us know what new adventures the book is on.

I received this RABCK from gypsysmom, as part of the Canada Wishlist Tag Game. Thank you so much for sending it!

This was another enjoyable installment in the Rebus series, and I especially liked the backdrop of the Edinburgh Festival. My only complaint is that the pacing of the novel seemed uneven. The first half was slow going, with a large number of characters and connections to absorb. However, things seemed to speed up in the second half, and as the book moved toward its conclusion, I had a hard time putting it down.

Thanks again, gypsysmom, for this RABCK!

Always a fan of the Rebus books and this one didn't disappoint.

Placed in book box.

Found in the Little Library box on Beechlawn Ave in Waterloo, Ontario.