Saints of the Shadow Bible

Inspector Rebus, Book 19

By: Ian Rankin

Narrated by: James Macpherson

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Rebus and Malcolm Fox go head-to-head when a 30-year-old murder investigation resurfaces, forcing Rebus to confront crimes of the past. Rebus is back on the force, albeit with a demotion and a chip on his shoulder. He is investigating a car accident when news arrives that a case from 30 years ago is being reopened. Rebus's team from those days is suspected of helping a murderer escape justice to further their own ends.

Malcolm Fox, in what will be his last case as an internal affairs cop, is tasked with finding out the truth. Past and present are about to collide in shocking and murderous fashion. What does Rebus have to hide? And whose side is he really on? His colleagues back then called themselves "The Saints," and swore a bond on something called the Shadow Bible. But times have changed and the crimes of the past may not stay hidden much longer -- and may also play a role in the present, as Scotland gears up for a referendum on independence.

Allegiances are being formed, enemies made, and huge questions asked. Who are the saints and who the sinners? And can the one ever become the other?

©2014 Ian Rankin (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Ian Rankin's latest Rebus mystery is stuffed full of multiple plotlines, but James MacPherson's pacing and various character voices keep the story rolling along with the listener hooked, and never confused. Rebus is once again an Edinburgh cop, thanks to a change in retirement policy, but at the cost of a demotion, which results in his former protégée, Siobhan Clarke, now outranking him. MacPherson's tones make clear that Rebus is still cranky and mischievously wayward while Clarke, who has less of a Scots brogue, is more controlled. MacPherson's fine performance includes gruff crooks, powerful businessmen, sleazy lawyers with stretched out syllables, and a slurring ex-police officer weakened by a stroke." ( AudioFile)

I loved it!

I think this is such an excellent series. I relate to the characters, the story moves at the right pace, and the city of Edinburgh comes to life. The narration was perfect. Thanks to Rankin and McPherson (and Audible ) for a very enjoyable experience.

Great book as usual

Another superb Ian Rankin novel James McPherson does a wonderful job of narrating as well.

Brilliance -As Always

Ian Rankin is one of my favorite authors for enjoyment and for studying style as a writer.

Occasionally the Scottish accent gets heavy, but it's part of the color of Ian's work.

I'd start with book 1, but if you want Ian light begin with Standing In Another Man's Grave and follow with this one.

Enjoy

Another Great Rebus

It was nice to see Rebus branch out for a change and confide in his long-term friend Siobhan as well as new allies like Fox. His mania is leading him to more vigilante type of behavior, which I’m not sure makes sense at the end, considering the plot of this one. but when did Rebus ever do anything conventional? And that’s likely the fun of the series.

Great narration, great book.

Any additional comments?

James Macpherson proves to be the perfect Rebus narrator, much to my surprise. I've read Rebus for years but avoided James Macpherson's abridged versions. Other reading's have just not worked for me. Tried these on a whim, and I absolutely loved it.

Top notch Rebus, loved the slow build up of his return to the police force.

Same formula, incomprehensibly authentic accenting

It takes intense concentration for me to follow this narrator. He is likely very accurate in his depictions of the various regional accents, but at times I could barely follow the dialogue.
Also, the incessant revisiting of past incidents between the cop-characters consumes far too much of Rankin's books. This time, it went over the top for me and became so redundant it made me wince before giving up on the book. This element has been beaten to death by Rankin and I find it tiresome and distracting to the extreme.

Rankin is a talented writer and Rebus may have run out his usefulness as the lead. I am afraid the Siobhan Clarke character lacks the gravitas to carry a series. Ian, look elsewhere for a new protagonist. Your wonderful writing needs a new field to plow!

Wrong order

This book should be read after Standing in Another Man's Grave. Usually in these series it doesn't make much difference if you read out of order. Big difference is these two.

an old friend

Sometimes you get involved with a series where you know that when a new book comes out in the series that you will buy it and enjoy it. It's like seeing an old friend again, you just look forward to it. This latest book in Ian Rankin's Inspector John Rebus series fits that mold. It was a good story, going back in time when Rebus first became a detective and working on a current day case that ties into the old days. It was well done. I find with the narrator and his Scottish accent, I really have to pay attention all the time. When I pay good attention I get most of what is being said but if my attention wanes at all I start missing stuff. I guess my choice would be to keep the narrator and accent as the story is set in Edinburgh, Scotland after all. I'll look forward to the next one!

another good book in the series

lots of twists and turns it was a good plot and a good story the performance was okay it's always hard for me to try to differentiate the two voices especially when Rebuis and fox were together.... I'm sure part of the problem is my gringo ears and in general it's very difficult to put together an audio performance so I have an appreciation for that but still I wish there was more differentiation in the voices be easier to follow.