Exit Music - Ian Rankin

Heading for 5 stars and then......

As a long-standing fan of Ian Rankin and his Rebus series, I was looking forward to Exit Music with mixed feelings. All good things must come to an end - but how would Rankin bring his magnificent sequence of Rebus novels to a satisfying conclusion?

Exit Music is terrific right up to the end - when for me it went all wrong. The pace, plotting and dialogue rattle along nicely - and enough scope is left by Rankin to bring Rebus back investigating cold cases, or to elevate DI Clarke to a more prominent role in future books. And then something happens and the book ends in a most unsatisfatory manner. The plot is brought to a - frankly - disappointing conclusion, the main storyline collapsing in on itself, and the major protaganists Rebus and Cafferty left at an unsatisfactory point in their tortured, complicated relationship.

In a way, I felt somehow cheated - not of fine writing as Rankin has maintained a high standard throughout the books - but Exit Music ends almost awkwardly, as if the author wasn't quite sure himself how to end things. Doors have certainly been left opened, but it's hard to know where they lead. On balance, this was the right time to bring the series to an end, but somehow as readers, I think we deserved more.

A rather disappointing and convoluted end to the series

So then end for Rebus arrives with Exit Music.

I was a little disappointed with this book, it's not as gripping as previous novels and I also found it quite predictable (the only Rebus novel where I have found this to be the case).

The story itself is not particularly interesting and doesnt hold the attention as much as some of the other novels in the series and the 'twist' involving Todd Goodyear is far to obvious (I was looking out for it a good 150/200 pages before it was finally revealed).

The book also has far to many 'coincidences' in it, it makes the book seem convoluted, unbelievable and not true to life

All in all a rather disappointing end to a good series

Bravo, Mr. Rankin.

First Sentence: The girl screamed once, only the once, but it was enough.

DI John Rebus is one week from retirement. What begins as the murder of a Russian poet becomes much more complex. Does it involve the Russians meeting with Edinburgh real estate agents and bankers? How does it link with a second murder? What is the connection to Rebus' nemeses Ger Cafferty?

When Rebus gets suspended, it's up to DS Siobhan Clark to work on the inside while Rebus keeps investigating from the outside.

I put off reading this book because I was concerned as to how Rankin would close out Rebus' career. I need not have worried.

This is quintessential Rebus who has given up almost everything in his life for his job. The case seemed to start off as a simple killing, but layers build upon layers and twists upon turns.

Rankin has done such a fine job creating Rebus, he is very real. I don't always like him, but you know that is intentional.

Rankin hasn't glamorized Edinburgh, as many authors do, but presents it as a city of people and problems as is any city, and he makes that city alive to us.

For me, the ending was perfect and just the right touch. I'm anxious to see what Rankin does next, but I do sincerely hope Rebus reappears from time-to-time. Bravo, Mr. Rankin.

Dull and disappoinitng end to Rebus

Page turning enough, but ultimately a dull and disappointing end for the Rebus series, which, in truth, went of the boil several books ago. All the standard elements are there: Rebus the declining outsider (yet another suspension) DI Siobhan Clarke as his ambivalent protegee; police procedural stuff; an East European connection - Russian gangsters, a Russian poet, along with the obligatory acacemic; the usual clunky attempt to link the crime story plot with the latest social and political developments (rise of the SNP and growingprospect of Scottish independence this time); "Big Ger" Cafferty (are there no other hone grown gangsters in Edinburgh?); and some bits of social commentary snippets on the highways and by-ways of Edinburgh and Scottish history. Sadly, as with many ofRebuses, it seems rather formulaic. The attempted twist at the end is especially clumsy and annoying for the reader, especially given the now standard (overwritten) length of the novel. There isn't even much sense of pathos with Rebus's exit from the force

Another cracker from Rankin

Couldn't wait to find out the end, but I'm so sorry to see him go. Rebus has been part of my life since I discovered him a good few years back and I can't believe I won't be following his troubled life any more. Rankin's creation was just about perfect, so believable, and although I shall miss looking forward to the next Rebus instalment, I truly think that the author should let him go peacefully and not think about resurrecting him in future novels. The little bit intrigue in the epilogue was just great, and a nice way to end the story, still keeping the reader guessing.