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Saints of the Shadow Bible

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Saints of the Shadow Bible

By: Ian Rankin
Narrated by: James MacPherson
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Sunday Times number-one best seller Ian Rankin returns with his gripping new Rebus novel. Unabridged edition featuring a bonus interview with Ian Rankin and James MacPherson.

Rebus is back on the force, albeit with a demotion and a chip on his shoulder. A 30-year-old case is being reopened, and Rebus' team from back then is suspected of foul play. With Malcolm Fox as the investigating officer, are the past and present about to collide in a shocking and murderous fashion? And does Rebus have anything to hide?

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, especially with a referendum on Scottish independence just around the corner.

Who are the saints and who the sinners? And can the one ever become the other?

Features a bonus interview with Ian Rankin and James MacPherson.

Read by James MacPherson. James MacPherson played DCI Jardine in Taggart for 16 years and has acted on stage in plays as diverse as The Taming of the Shrew and ART by Yasmina Reza. He has presented a regular books programme for Radio Scotland - for which he has interviewed Ian Rankin. He won a Spoken Word Gold Award for his reading of Strip Jack, a Crimefest Audible UK Sounds of Crime Award for Doors Open and has narrated all the Ian Rankin Rebus books. James lives in Glasgow.

©2013 John Rebus Ltd (P)2013 Orion Publishing Group
Crime Fiction Mystery Police Procedurals Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Fiction Crime
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If you could sum up Saints of the Shadow Bible in three words, what would they be?

Compelling, thrilling, witty

What did you like best about this story?

I like how rebus has been repositioned in an awkward, unstable, position, keen to fight for his worth in the police and at the same time... ever disillusioned. Drawn back to the detective role... long after he knew better...

Which character – as performed by James MacPherson – was your favourite?

James Fox is more sympathetic in this story than previous, but his acquiescence into a 'friendship' with Rebus - the enemy - is too swift, too convenient.. the mutual respect too easily given. This is necessary for the plot, but for fans... a bit twee

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The past does not lie still...

Rankin returns to top form

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is an excellent story and expertly narrated by James MacPherson.

What did you like best about this story?

Saints of the Shadow Bible is a well written novel. Ian Rankin has had the good fortune to have John Rebus reinstated into the Lothian and Borders Police, but now as a DS, with his former DS, Siobhan Clark promoted to DI and therefore his boss. This provides a distinct twist to their working relationship.

What does James MacPherson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

James MacPherson is an excellent narrator. His ability to characterise the main players is spot on - his extensive previous extensive experience with the characters allows for a consistency of voice that you don't get when different books in a series are narrated by different performers.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have loved to have listened to this book without stopping. I managed to finish it in two days. The story moves well and makes you want to keep listening.

Any additional comments?

Another excellent addition to the Rebus canon. I know he is approaching retirement Mr Rankin, but please give us at least one more!

Another masterpiece

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I really like the fact that Ian Rankin's characters from previous books are working together, as they might well do in real life. The mix of police work, with just enough about the characters' private lives to make them human, is just right. I also like the fact that actual news and events are brought into the story. Not all authors do this, as I suppose it dates the book, but it adds to the reality and interest of the story.

Hope Ian Rankin is working on the next instalment!

Excellent, as usual. Hope there is another one!

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I like the story and the politics.
Rankin is always bang up to date with the political environment and social scene.
An excellent read.
I have read quite a few of them!

Top notch Rebus book.

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Brilliant right up to the end. Superb story, love the Rebus books.I'll be sorry when he retires.

A great read

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