Watchman

by Ian Rankin
Watchman cover
Good Books rating 2.33
Crime, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 8561
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780316024181
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2007-12-11
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Miles Flint, a spy with a track record of mistakes, finds himself at a crossroads after his latest blunder lands him in police custody. As he begins to question the integrity of his agency, Miles embarks on a personal investigation that reveals a web of deceit and danger. His routine mission to Belfast turns into a fight for survival as he confirms his darkest suspicions and uncovers a plot that puts his life at risk. /n/n Ian Rankin, known for his gripping thrillers, delivers a tale of espionage and intrigue that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. With a protagonist who is as flawed as he is determined, 'Watchman' explores themes of redemption, betrayal, and the blurred lines between loyalty and self-preservation. The novel's fast-paced narrative and complex characters make it a compelling read for fans of the genre.

Reviews
The Storygraph · rosseroo · 2025-12-22
disappointing 1.00

The book fails to be either thoughtful or entertaining enough to recommend. Fans of the author might find more to appreciate, but it did not resonate with the reviewer.

The reviewer finds that the book lacks the depth and entertainment value needed to make it a recommended read. They feel it falls short in both thought-provoking content and engaging storytelling. While they acknowledge that fans of the author might find more to enjoy, the reviewer personally did not find the book compelling. The overall sentiment is one of disappointment, as the book did not meet the reviewer's expectations in terms of quality and enjoyment.

Quick quotes

    On the whole, it's neither thoughtful or entertaining enough for me to recommend it.

    I suppose Rankin fans may find more to like, but it didn't work for me.

    It's neither thoughtful or entertaining enough for me to recommend it.

nwhyte.livejournal.com · nwhyte · 2012-08-07
mixed 2.50

The book is filled with violence and unlikable characters, but the depiction of the Boston Catholic community is well done. The narrative feels uneven and lacks depth in character development.

The reviewer notes that the book is quite violent, with many characters meeting unfortunate ends. However, they appreciate the detailed portrayal of the Boston Catholic community, which adds a rich backdrop to the story. The characters themselves are not particularly endearing, which might make it hard for some readers to connect with the narrative. Overall, the book feels uneven, with a lack of depth in character development that could have made the story more engaging. The reviewer's takeaway is that while the setting is well-crafted, the execution falls short in other areas.

Quick quotes

    Lots of people get killed.

    None of the characters is especially likeable.

    The Boston Catholic community is nicely depicted as a backdrop, though.

The Times · 2004-01-25
good 3.50

The story builds to a tense conclusion, but the pacing is inconsistent due to its abridgement. The narrative is engaging despite its flaws.

The reviewer points out that the story's pacing is uneven, likely due to its abridgement for audio. This inconsistency makes the narrative feel disjointed at times. However, the story builds to a nail-biting conclusion that keeps readers engaged. Despite the flaws in pacing, the reviewer finds the narrative compelling and worth the read. The overall impression is that the book has its issues but delivers a satisfying end.

Quick quotes

    The story develops unevenly, a drawback of its abridgement for audio, to a nail-biting end game.

    The story builds to a nail-biting end game.

    The story develops unevenly.

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