Knots And Crosses

The number one bestselling series that inspired BBC One’s REBUS

By: Ian Rankin

Narrated by: James Macpherson

And in Edinburgh of all places. I mean, you never think of that sort of thing happening in Edinburgh, do you... '

'That sort of thing' is the brutal abduction and murder of two young girls. And now a third is missing, presumably gone to the same sad end. Detective Sergeant John Rebus, smoking and drinking too much, his own young daughter spirited away south by his disenchanted wife, is one of many policemen hunting the killer.

And then the messages begin to arrive: knotted string and matchstick crosses - taunting Rebus with pieces of a puzzle only he can solve.

Read by James Macpherson

(p) 2011 Orion Publishing Group©1987 John Rebus Ltd

Critic reviews

Ian Rankin is a genius (Lee Child)

No one in Britain writes better crime novels today

Britain's No.1 crime writer

The best and most complex thriller writer in Britain today

Rankin is the thinking man's thriller writer

A master in his field

Good story well narrated

This is my first Ian Rankin book, and I enjoyed it enough to immediately buy his next one after I finished it. The story is original and interesting, and the narrator is excellent! He manages to tell the story with a fine Scottish accent that fits the setting of the story very well, and at the same time be clear enough to be easily understandable to me as a non-native English speaker.

not as dark as his reputation

I've stayed away form Rankin previously because of his reputation for dark tales. While this was certainly not cozy, neither was it gruesome. Interesting character, narrative and atmosphere - almost in a league with PD James. If the other Rebus audiobooks are this engrossing, I'll soon use up my remaining annual credits - and between Rankin and McCall Smith, I'm developing an obsession to visit Edinburgh.

The narration was excellent, and looking ahead, I'm disappointed that Macpherson is not narrating the rest of the series.

first Ian rankin

good easy read although heavy subject, will be reading more of his books going forward

Rediscovering Rebus

The Headstones are coming in October, a given McPherson went back to the beginning, I decided to do the same. This was better than I remember and Rankin describes. It's what kicked it all off, an incredible journey that may or may not end next month.

We have come to know and love these characters, so many were introduced here. The themes that bind, Sammy in mortal danger in book one, then in 24 in the highlands it's she and her daughter facing different demons with a song for dark times playing .

I've checked the chronology, from one childhood game to the next then over to the Shorts of the Best before getting back to long form with Tooth and Nail and Jack.

This was a taught psychological thriller with moments of humour and a couple of good lines and a Sammy student similar or three.

Looking forward to the journey!