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The Complaints

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The Complaints

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

 Nobody likes The Complaints - they're the cops who investigate other cops. Complaints and Conduct Department, to give them their full title, but known colloquially as 'the Dark Side', or simply 'The Complaints'.

Malcolm Fox works for The Complaints. He's just had a result, and should be feeling good about himself. But he's middle-aged, sour and unwell. He also has a father in a care home and a sister who persists in an abusive relationship.

In the midst of an aggressive Edinburgh winter, the reluctant Fox is given a new task. There's a cop called Jamie Breck, and he's dirty. Problem is, no one can prove it. But as Fox takes on the job, he learns that there's more to Breck than anyone thinks. This knowledge will prove dangerous, especially when murder intervenes.

The Complaints is the searing new novel from Ian Rankin, an inquiry into personal morality, private vice, friendship, and the state of the nation.

©2009 John Rebus Ltd (P)2009 Orion Publishing Group Ltd Crime Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Crime Detective Thriller Law
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When Rebus retired I pouted. When I heard Ian Rankin had a new series character I huffed and puffed. BUT - Malcolm Fox has changed my mind. Read by James Macpherson (who also read many a Rebus exploit) Malcolm is a true Rankin hero. Dogged, troubled, beset by family he can't cope with and can't abandon. He's doing the job no-one wants to do and asking the questions no-one wants to answer. I still want Rebus back but Malcolm Fox is a success in his own right.

There is life after Rebus

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Having to submit a review and it not being accepted. I listen to audible because I cannot see well and do not appreciate having to write about it.

Story line

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This was disappointing and not up there with the Rebus stories, I felt. It did not have my attention as I felt I know what was going to happen. Our man had lost his objectivity and seemed manoeuvred into believing the ends justifies the means. Not very enthralling as it is the sort of thing that can be read in the papers almost any week. Did the story get better? Do we care?

Complain, complain

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Maybe it was the accent I dont know,but it was hard work, not as good as Mr Alex Cross

Oh dear Mr Rankin

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