Book Review: Resurrection Men

Reviewed By: Fiona Walker

Resurrection Men     Amazon UK PB Amazon UK HC
Ian Rankin
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural
Series: John Rebus # 14
Orion, January 2002, 484pp

Detective Inspector Rebus has crossed the line. Never one for authority, this time he has gone too far. During a dispute over how to handle the investigation into the death of Edinburgh art dealer Edward Marber, Rebus throws a mug of coffee over the Chief Super, and is immediately suspended. He then faces his Last Chance Saloon, as he is sent back to Police College for punishment, to learn the foreign (to Rebus, at least) arts of discipline and respect for authority. He is placed with four other of the force’s more unorthodox members, and as a training exercise they are given an unsolved case ­ the murder of Edinburgh low-life Rico Lomax ­ to have a deeper look at. However, it soon becomes apparent to Rebus that something incredibly fishy is going on, something that has to do with the real reason their superiors have asked them to investigate this case…

Meanwhile, back in Edinburgh, Rebus’ protégé DS Siobhan Clark is left to deal with the killing of the art dealer, and feels herself being thrown into uncertainty when the name of notorious gangster ­ and Rebus’s nemesis - Morris Gerald Cafferty, recently released from prison, turns up. Is she ready to follow in Rebus’s footsteps, and is she capable of contending with the possible new complexities of an already puzzling case?

This, Rankin’s 13th Rebus novel, is one of his very best. It boasts a brilliantly thick plot, true to previous form, more great characters, a tense yet blunt writing style, and of course Edinburgh, which continues to breath and pulse like a menacing giant. John Rebus is on absolutely wonderful form yet again in a complex, engrossing, and incredibly strong book, and DS Clarke is marvellous, becoming more and more like her boss every day. It is clear that Rankin is priming her to step into Rebus’ shoes upon his retirement, which is surely not far away. And when Rankin does retire him to a more background role, reader’s need not worry, as Clarke is an ideal replacement.

I would recommend this book, indeed the entire series, which is the best currently being produced in Britain, to anyone who is a fan of brilliant crime novels. In the UK Rankin is a writing phenomena, sales of his books alone account for approximately 10% of the ENTIRE British crime market. And quite deservedly so. He’s a brilliant crime writer whose talents eclipse those of even such greats as Michael Connelly (in my opinion), and Resurrection Men can only further cement his growing readership in the US. If there’s any justice, this will be a best-seller all over America.

[Originally published on www.mysteryinkonline.com]

Fiona Walker

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Fiona Walker