Resurrection Men

by Ian Rankin
Resurrection Men cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Crime, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 9172
  • Added: 2025-12-23
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780752847061
  • Publisher: Orion Media
  • Published: 2001-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

John Rebus, a seasoned detective, finds himself in professional purgatory after a heated argument with his superior. Sent to the Scottish Police College for retraining, he is grouped with other problematic officers to solve an old unsolved case. As they delve into the mystery, hidden secrets within the team threaten to unravel the investigation. Meanwhile, Rebus is drawn into a dangerous favor for the Scottish Crime Squad, acting as a go-between to expose Edinburgh's most notorious gangster, 'Big Ger' Cafferty. Back in Edinburgh, Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke works the case of a murdered art dealer, which inextricably links her to Cafferty's criminal underworld. In this tense and atmospheric novel, Ian Rankin masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, exploring themes of redemption, loyalty, and the blurred lines between justice and corruption. With its richly drawn characters and intricate plot, 'Resurrection Men' is a compelling addition to the Inspector Rebus series, showcasing Rankin's signature blend of sharp dialogue, vivid setting, and suspenseful storytelling.

Reviews
GJ Griffith Writer · 2021-12-06
good 4.25

The dialogue is found to be amusing and believable, with intriguing twists that keep the reader guessing. The reviewer enjoys the overall reading experience.

GJ Griffith Writer's review highlights the amusing and believable dialogue in 'Resurrection Men', which adds to the overall enjoyment of the book. They also appreciate the intriguing twists that keep the reader guessing throughout. The reviewer finds the story to be engaging and well-paced, making it a enjoyable read. They particularly like the way the twists are woven into the narrative, keeping the reader on their toes. Overall, it's a book that fans of Ian Rankin will appreciate for its clever dialogue and engaging plot.

Quick quotes

    I found much of the dialogue amusing and believable and enough intriguing twists in the tale to keep me guessing throughout.

    The story is engaging and well-paced, making it a enjoyable read.

    The way the twists are woven into the narrative keeps the reader on their toes.

Irresponsible Reader · 2018-03-05
excellent 4.50

The structure of the novel is praised for its perfection, with multiple mysteries that keep the reader engaged. The reviewer finds the detective work to be particularly compelling.

The Irresponsible Reader's review focuses on the structure of 'Resurrection Men', calling it the real star of the novel. They appreciate the multiple mysteries that the detectives have to solve, which keep the reader engaged throughout. The reviewer finds the detective work to be particularly compelling and well-executed. They also note that the novel's structure is perfect, making it a standout in the series. Overall, it's a well-crafted mystery that fans of the genre will enjoy.

Quick quotes

    The structure of this novel is the real star — it was just perfect — we get a couple of mysteries to watch our detectives solve, plus a couple ...

    The detective work is particularly compelling and well-executed.

    The novel's structure is perfect, making it a standout in the series.

The Guardian · 2002-01-25
intriguing 4.00

The plot is dense and intricate, with multiple twists and counter-twists that keep the reader engaged. The story is all about the plot, with no twist left unexplored.

The Guardian's review highlights the complexity and density of the plot in 'Resurrection Men'. They note that the story is packed with twists and counter-twists, making it a thrilling read. The reviewer appreciates the intricate weaving of the narrative, which keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. However, they also point out that the sheer density of the plot might be overwhelming for some readers. Overall, it's a gripping tale that showcases Ian Rankin's skill in crafting complex crime fiction.

Quick quotes

    Resurrection Men is more densely plotted than the earlier books.

    In fact, it is all plot; no twist goes without a counter-twist, and then a ...

    The story is packed with twists and counter-twists, making it a thrilling read.

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