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Even Dogs in the Wild

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Even Dogs in the Wild

By: Ian Rankin
Narrated by: James Macpherson
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About this listen

Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke is investigating the death of a senior lawyer during a robbery.

But the case becomes more complex when a note is discovered, indicating that this may have been no random attack. When local gangster Big Ger Cafferty receives an identical message, Clarke decides that the recently retired John Rebus may be able to help. He's the only man Cafferty will open up to, and together the two old adversaries might just stand a chance of saving Cafferty's skin.

But a notorious Glasgow crime family has arrived in Edinburgh, too, tailed by a team of undercover detectives. There's something they want, and they'll stop at nothing to get it. DI Malcolm Fox's job is to provide the undercover squad with local expertise, but he's soon drawn in too deep as the two cases look like colliding.

Meanwhile, an anonymous killer stalks the nighttime streets, focussed on revenge. It's a game of dog eat dog in the city as in the wild. Even Dogs in the Wild brings back Ian Rankin's greatest characters in a story exploring the darkest corners of our instincts and desires.

©2015 John Rebus Ltd (P)2015 Orion Publishing Group Modern Detectives Mystery Suspense Mafia
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I think that many were unsure about Ian Rankin's decision to continue the series after Rebus retired, The mixed reaction to Standing in Another Man's Grave was understandable, the new juxtaposition of the characters felt uncomfortable, unsure and like the characters themselves we found it hard to get our heads round it all. Then Saints of the Shadow Bible saw a definite return to form but with this book Rankin has absolutely nailed it!

The adjusted roles of the characters feel very natural now. As elder statesmen of law enforcement and the criminal underworld Rebus and Big Ger Cafferty rub along with and against each other with a crackling chemistry. Clarke and Fox spread their wings further and the plot is a tense, multi-layered one populated by an excellent cast of rogues, villains and powerful enemies.

James Macpherson (who else could it have been?) purrs and growls his way through the plot evoking imagery of Edinburgh and its surrounds and of course Rankin's richly formed characters.

In summary, I have simply enjoyed this one as much as any other Rebus that has gone before and have turned from "concerned fan" to "eager consumer" once more.

Everything Perfectly In Place

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Shaggy dog story? Yes, it even has a dog. Marvellous writing, faultless narration, fast paced, with the usual dark humour and geographical accuracy. If you are a Rebus fan, this book will not disappoint.

BUY THIS BOOK!

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Many familiar characters from earlier Rebus books meet up in this complex web of stories that mesh together by the final chapters. Rebus had to retire sometime so the only way the author can keep him in the picture is to have him as a civilian consultant helping his erstwhile DS, Siobhan Clarke, now promoted to DI. Former Compaints officier, DI Malcolm Fox also figures prominently in this book. When Fox first appeared in Rankin's novels he was a rather two dimensional character, but has become a more well-rounded and interesting character in this book.

I think this Rebus novel is well up to Rankin's previous high standard of writing and plot construction: quite a feat after about 20 books. The backdrop of Edinburgh adds to the pleasure, especially for those of us who live here.

The narrator is excellent creating a range of Scottish accents.

Intricate, well-crafted story

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Great story well told. Enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Let's hope there's more to come from Rebus.

The Best Rebus Yet

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Always enjoyable if this time a little tame rather than wild with all the characters, even the bad guys, softening as they get older. Rankin's characters are always very real and that, rather than the crime genre, is what keeps me coming back for more. Regrettably this time I didn't warm to the voice or pace of the narrator though.

More tame than wild?

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