Fleshmarket Alley: An Inspector Rebus Novel

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
#1 international bestseller Ian Rankin sends Inspector John Rebus into the dark streets of Edinburgh's flesh trade when a shocking murder exposes an even more sinister underworld.

Inspector John Rebus has confronted Edinburgh's most hardened criminals, its bloodiest crime scenes, and its most dangerous backstreets--but nothing could prepare him for what he finds on Fleshmarket Alley.

In the city's red-light district, men go to live out their fantasies, and women with no other choice sell their bodies to make a buck. It's a neighborhood of lost inhibitions, scruples, and dreams. In its seediest clubs, refugees seeking asylum in Scotland are subjected to the whims of the most ruthless characters in the crime world--men Rebus knows all too well.

With his singular knack for making crime captivating, Ian Rankin delivers his most explosive mystery to date, fulfilling the promise millions of readers in the United Kingdom and America have seen throughout his accomplished career.

Customer Reviews: Read 28 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Rebus, We're Starting To Know You January 29, 2005
16 out of 18 found this review helpful

Ian Rankin starts his new book with this quote: "It is to Scotland that we look for our ideas of civilisation" (Voltaire)

John Rebus finds himself ensconced in a murder mystery- a Kurdish immigrant is found murdered in a housing development called Knoxland. Rebus's original police station has closed, and he is trying to find a place for himself. His reputation precedes him; he is known as a troublemaker or trouble finder and not an easy person to deal with. He is also known as someone who is trustworthy and honest (well, to a degree). He must push himself into this investigation, and as always Rebus finds the truth and a little more. Rebus is a kinder, gentler man in this novel. He attempts to develop a relationship with an artist who is fighting to have an immigrant detention center closed. However, Rebus is the enemy so to speak, so this relationship is not an easy one. Rebus is also watching his drink, not really drinking less but watching it; so he has developed a real social conscience- he doesn't drive while drinking.

In the meantime Siobhan Clarke, Detective Sergeant, a close friend of Rebus's has developed her own mystery. She is asked by parents to look for their daughter, Ishbel Jardine. Siobhan had been involved in an attempt to solve the crime of their older daughter's rape and subsequent suicide. Now this younger daughter has gone missing, and the parents are worried. She is drawn into the search and then to find the murderer of this first daughter's rapist.

Both of these mysteries have close ties, and Rebus and Siobhan work together. Is the murder of the immigrant a racist plot? The twists and turns lead to a mass immigrant con game with big money at the core. The disappearance of the young girl leads to consequences not expected.

The relationship between John Rebus and Siohban Clarke has been innocent but friendly and now something more is hinted. These two understand each other and have a close working relationship, but could something closer work for the two of them? I enjoyed this book as much or more than the others. However that said, the history of Rebus and Siohban gives us insight into how their personalities have developed and changed. A wonderfully written and perceptive book. Recommend highly. prisrob

4 out of 5 stars

A THINKING MAN'S THRILLER - VERY WELL READ February 11, 2005
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Inspector John Rebus, created by Edgar-Award winning author Ian Rankin, has won a legion of followers who cannot wait for the next Scotland based mystery involving the hardened, perspicacious detective. He's known for a bit of sardonic wit and a sleeve full of surprises.

Michael Page reads this, the 15th Rebus novel, with thorough understanding of the pivotal character, and segues nicely into the voice of his colleague Siobhan Clarke.

One would think that after years of covering city streets infested with crime and scoundrels there would be little to cause the flicker of an eyelash from Rebus. Not so. The murder of a refugee in a seedy building precedes a scenario more frightening than the battle scarred detective could ever have imagined. That building is only one in an area that holds more than dens of prostitution but has become a hub for the slave trade, which the government often chooses to ignore. Those seeking sanctuary are sold to the highest bidder for cheap labor.

While Rebus is confronted with a tangled web of killings, listeners are confronted with a reminder of man's inhumanity to man.

As often is the case, Rankin and Rebus present a thinking man's thriller ably read by Michael Page.

- Gail Cooke

2 out of 5 stars

The Worst Rebus is years February 18, 2005
6 out of 8 found this review helpful

I love Rebus and Siobhan. Have for years. This book is so boring. I am 3/4 of the way through and have no interest in finishing. The subject of the racism is so old. The writing is so trite. I can predict the next sentences of the characters -- maybe I've read too many Rankin.

I can't believe that this book is putting me to sleep. Ian Rankin in the past has been one of my favorite authors--just read a non-Rebus book--Witch Hunt-which I highly recommend.

3 out of 5 stars

Less and Less Engaging March 15, 2005
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

Rankin's novels featuring DI John Rebus have always been fun for me. His knack for portraying the streets and characters of shady Edinburg is really fascinating. Along with that great atmosphere and diaglogue of Scotland, watching Rebus continue to buck the police system that he can't live with or without is always intertaining.

Unfortunately, Rankin's books are getting longer and less interesting. Rebus' character isn't evolving, and I find myself more interested in what Shiobahn is up to. These characters are so likable, and they certainly need to have relationships to round them out as individuals.

While still a fun read, Rankin could cut the length by a third. He should inject more substance and development into his characters, and the plot and pacing must be more focused.

5 out of 5 stars

Fleshmarket Alley " Close " January 31, 2005
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

again another great novel from Mr Rankin. But why
did he allow the " American Publisher " to change the
title ? Perhaps we Americans could not discover what
a " Close " is ? HUBRIS is alive and well at
Little Brown.

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