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A Song for the Dark Times: An Inspector Rebus Novel (Inspector Rebus Novels Book 23) by [Ian Rankin]

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Ian Rankin

A Song for the Dark Times: An Inspector Rebus Novel (Inspector Rebus Novels Book 23) Kindle Edition

by Ian Rankin (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

26,551 ratings

Book 23 of 24: Inspector Rebus Novels

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"He’s gone…"

When his daughter Samantha calls in the dead of night, John Rebus knows it’s not good news. Her husband has been missing for two days.

Rebus fears the worst – and knows from his lifetime in the police that his daughter will be the prime suspect.

He wasn’t the best father – the job always came first – but now his daughter needs him more than ever. But is he going as a father or a detective?

As he leaves at dawn to drive to the windswept coast – and a small town with big secrets – he wonders whether this might be the first time in his life where the truth is the one thing he doesn’t want to find…

A thrilling new Rebus novel about crime, punishment, and redemption, from the Edgar Award-winning "genius" of the genre (Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series)

Print length

337 pages
Language

English
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On Kindle Scribe
Publisher

Little, Brown and Company
Publication date

October 13, 2020
File size

1378 KB
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Popular Highlights in this book

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This world is on a path to chaos. Have you not noticed? I have heard it compared to the 1930s. Everyone bitter and pointing the finger at the person they think is to blame for their misfortune.
Highlighted by 44 Kindle readers
He wasn’t management, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t skilled. Quite the opposite, in Rebus’s experience.
Highlighted by 43 Kindle readers
He was in his twenties and lived in a caravan behind the pub, which he shared with his tattoos and facial piercings.
Highlighted by 42 Kindle readers

From the Publisher

John Rebus, praise for the John Rebus series

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for IN A HOUSE OF LIES
―-

"There's no one like Ian Rankin for bringing us right into the world of detectives. For anyone who's fascinated by the inner workings of that world, and all its tricky, brutal, expert ruthlessness, In A House of Lies is a must-read."―Tana French

"Loved In A House Of Lies. How does Rebus keep on getting better and better? Ian Rankin is a genius."―Lee Child

"Rather Be the Devil will not disappoint - in the last 30 pages or so, Rankin delivers so many shocking but
satisfying twists I felt I might have whiplash."―Tampa Bay Times

"One of the best things in crime fiction for years, but Rankin kicks it up several notches here."

―Booklist (Starred Review) --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Review

“Remarkably fresh.”

―Richard Lipez, Washington Post

“Rankin has found fresh ways to explore his insightful, cantankerous and independent character in each of Rebus' reappearances...The superb A Song for the Dark Times — a prophetic title if ever there was one and a metaphor for Rebus' life — works as a tale about mortality, lost opportunities, regrets and growing older…A Song for the Dark Times doesn’t miss a note in showcasing Rankin’s strong storytelling.”
―Oline Cogdill, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"Mr. Rankin has been writing Rebus novels since 1987, and in this 23rd series entry, the author’s curmudgeonly hero proves as resolute as ever."―Tom Nolan, Wall Street Journal

“Like Louise Penny, Rankin consistently finds clever ways of involving his retired detective in new investigations. Rankin hits on all cylinders here: he makes the most of the fascinating internment-camp story; he injects new life into the familiar mystery trope of an outside investigator roiling the surface calm of an insular community; and he continues to develop the rich interplay between Rebus and Clarke…As Tartan Noir grows in popularity, Rankin continues to lead the charge. His high-profile presence on social media will be particularly important in the pandemic era.”

―Booklist, starred review

“Edgar winner Rankin’s excellent 23rd outing for John Rebus…As the two plots converge, the various credible, complex backstories coalesce into a highly satisfying and unified whole. This fresh entry boasts the kind of storytelling that made Rankin famous.”
―Publishers Weekly

“The investigation has him contemplating the meaning of fatherhood, detection, and the nature of truth, for an emotional continuation of one of the world’s most respected series.”
―CrimeReads

"Rebus is still the dogged investigator, able to make intuitive leaps about the dark places that inhabit the human soul and lead some to commit murder, whether in the distant past or in more recent times. Rankin will in time, likely retire Rebus for good, so we should appreciate him while we still have him."

―Jonathan Elderfield, Associated Press

“A compelling read that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next book in this winning series.” ―BookReporter

"With A Song for the Dark Times, Rankin takes an absorbing look at the damage done by greed for land and the fact that, with or without fairways, its history can never be erased."
―Lisa Henricksson, AirMail

Praise for IN A HOUSE OF LIES

"There's no one like Ian Rankin for bringing us right into the world of detectives. For anyone who's fascinated by the inner workings of that world, and all its tricky, brutal, expert ruthlessness, In A House of Lies is a must-read."―Tana French

"Loved In A House Of Lies. How does Rebus keep on getting better and better? Ian Rankin is a genius."―Lee Child

"Rather Be the Devil will not disappoint - in the last 30 pages or so, Rankin delivers so many shocking but
satisfying twists I felt I might have whiplash."―Tampa Bay Times

"One of the best things in crime fiction for years, but Rankin kicks it up several notches here."

―Booklist (Starred Review) --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B086SVRBSH
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company (October 13, 2020)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 13, 2020
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1378 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 337 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #114,586 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #741 in International Mystery & Crime (Kindle Store)
- #1,106 in International Mystery & Crime (Books)
- #1,273 in Private Investigator Mysteries (Books)

Customer Reviews:
26,551 ratings

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Ian Rankin

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Ian James Rankin, OBE, DL, FRSE (born 28 April 1960) is a Scottish crime writer, best known for his Inspector Rebus novels.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia. Photo byTimDuncan (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

26,551 global ratings

5 star		54%
4 star		32%
3 star		10%
2 star		3%
1 star		2%

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jas mann

Beautifully written, low energy

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 30, 2022

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Having read thousands of Amazon book reviews, it seems clear that the considerable percentage of readers judge a book mostly by the story, i.e. what it is about. If that's you, this is a fine story and highly recommended, you may want to stop reading here. This review is about the writing, the telling of the story. Which is beautiful, the author imaginatively becoming a part of the story's scenes, emerging from them and describing the experience to you with perfection.

It is however, a lugubrious read, not uncommon among British novels in general I must say, the weather perhaps. There is not an edge to the energy, it moves the story ploddingly, even depressingly on occasion, if you are sensitive to that.

So the book should last you a few days, that is to say, not a stay up all night read. But this is as it should be, you will want to savor the writer's skill as he immerses you into its scenes, you will be there.

One person found this helpful

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In The Dark Times, Will There Also Be Singing

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 15, 2020

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It is extraordinary that Ian Rankin wrote his 23rd John Rebus book just before the dark times fell. The time of the Covid19 pandemic. I have read every book, and 3 or4 years ago was supposed to be Rebus’s swan song, but Ian Rankin missed him too much, as did we all. Even in retirement, Rebus loves a good mystery, a murder here and there.

Rebus was one of the most unconventional detectives to work In Edinburgh’s murder crime squad. He solved many cases, and rarely with the stated conventional methods. But he was respected, even by Cafferty, the local boss of crime. In this book there are two murders to solve. One is his daughter’s live in fella, and the other a wealthy young college student. Rebus had his murder, and his old sidekick DC Siobhan Clarke, was involved with the college student’s murder inquiry. Sometimes the inquiry overlapped.most often not. It is the wits and knowledge that enhance the detectives cases. Siobhan learned the ropes well working with Rebus, and she was ahead of the game. She was also romantically involved with the DCI leading the case. As things proceed, they each bring the story close to the vest, but they get it done.

John Rebus has been touched by time, and his COPD slows him down, but not too much. He knows what to do and when. It is difficult for him to work under someone else’s lead, but he does it. He interferes, but in the end, his experience is needed. Rebus is almost back...

Recommended. prisrob 10-15-2020

42 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Rebus still shines

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 8, 2022

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Ian Rankin has continued to add twists in the life journey of Rebus, letting us peer into the maturing,evolving retired Inspector. After the 20+ book series set in Scotland, he still holds your interest and weaves an entertaining story line. The characters have grown so you feel you know them and I truly enjoy catching up with them, almost like you are there with them.

2 people found this helpful

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James Bogart

Good read

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 8, 2022

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I am a fan of the Rankin novels but found this book a bit plodding. Less interesting than most. Not a priority to read.

Helpful

Irony at play...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 23, 2020

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Having been a fan of Ian Rankin and his Inspector Rebus series, I was anxious to read the newest novel. On page two, Rankin refers to the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child, this should have been an omen. Ironically, I stopped reading Child years ago as the writing became lazy and the books repetitive.

Sad to say, this novel falls into the same trap. While the prose still is above that of most detective novels, the story was predictable and dragged. Not only does Rankin fall under the Reacher curse, but he emulates Michael Connelly by describing all the twists and turns, highways and byways, as Rebus drives from point a to point b. As in any novel that does this, the story then drags.

Usually, the characters in Rankin’s novels draw me deeper into the story. Unfortunately, in this novel, the characters I have enjoyed are one dimensional and dull. Even the normally interesting Cafferty is bland.

This one gets three stars, and I hope the next one gets us back to the standard we have come to enjoy.

40 people found this helpful

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Hannelore

Good

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 16, 2021

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I enjoyed it, but it wasn't his best. Still better than most books I've read!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 22, 2021

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This book is like the older ones. I loved it. #22 was ok but not his best. Though I like the interactions and possible manipulations between Big Ger and the police, I am tired of the way he deals with his "associates". Good to see Samantha finally involved in a story again.

Helpful

vincent n palladino

Rebus's Saab Breaks Down

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 5, 2020

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It is a measure of how excellent the Rebus books have been that this one - better than books by many other well known writers - merits only three stars or maybe four. Judged against his own high standards, Rankin falls short. The breakdown of Rebus's Saab no doubt is intended as some form of metaphor. But the message it seems to send is that this beloved series may be reaching the end of the road (unless Rankin can regain his old form). The twin plots are a contrivance that fails to remedy a fundamental problem: weaving together two rather weak story lines does not create a satisfying whole. Less happens than the book's length would suggest though this is not a long Rebus book. And the characters seem weary of playing the roles they have been assigned.

7 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Paris

Great, as I knew it would be.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 3, 2020

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Like other reviewers, I’ve hugely enjoyed being back in Rebus land; he doesn’t let me down. I like Rankin’s commitment to real time and the development this brings to the main character, as well as those around him. A good dual plot-line, allowing Rebus to detect but not stretch credulity too much by having him somehow rejoin the polis. Have a soft spot for Brillo, too; is Rebus going soft in his old age? Somehow I doubt it.
Ian Rankin is always a pleasure to read and this is no different, some going when into the 20+ Rebus; Interestingly, Rebus is apparently a Lee Child fan: Rankin’s Rebus is still far more alive and fresh than Jack Reacher. Give me Scotland over the USA anytime.

64 people found this helpful

Gary Ashton

The End for Rebus ?.....

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 6, 2020

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.....there’s no doubt that Rebus is now a ‘creaking gate’......he’s even had to move to a ground floor flat because he can’t cope with stairs and he reaches even more for the inhaler......but that old detective intuition will never leave him and he still strives as best he can to get the job done......this latest book by the great Ian Rankin is his best Rebus outing for a while, a real page turner......a couple of stories loosely intertwined provide a fantastic read.....it’s great to have Rebus,Siobhan,Fox and Cafferty back......!

47 people found this helpful

Bristol Book Blogger 📚📖📓

Top notch thriller

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 27, 2020

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This being my first Rebus but hopefully not my last I wasn't sure what to expect. The blurb pulled me in though and the fantastic cover invited me to read it. I was pleasantly gripped from the first page and found the plot and characterisation complex, emotive, and fantastically layered. I thoroughly enjoyed the past crime interwoven with and linked to the present. I've written a few novels myself that do this and there is a knack to make it work which Ian obviously has. I also liked the way Rebus' investigation into his daughter's missing partner coexisted alongside the murder of Salmon Bin Mahmood. Both detective and ex-detective worked well separately and jointly, even from afar. And this gave a nice originality to a brilliant story. I'm thinking perhaps the commune will feature in future works? There's a cult story there I'm sure. There is a reason Rankin is a top selling author and now I know first-hand why. He is a writing genius.

28 people found this helpful

Shopper

Rebus adrift

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 16, 2020

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Rebus cut adrift by age, retirement, health and, the setting of the North Coast of Scotland. What remains pressed hard and bold into the page is the essence of who we know him to be; a character that once got the scent will drive forward single mindedly until the crime is solved. We once again travel that road with him. Daughter, Big Ger, Siobhan, Malcom, Christine etc all get a mention as does his dog Brillo and his trusty rusty Saab. Gone, in this book, is his record/music collection; no going back to sit in his chair by the window to ruminate nor as companionship in his car. New characters come in but remain on his periphery - life goes on around him. There is no doubt that my percetpion will have been coloured by reading it during these unprecidented times of Covid 19 However, from the title, the setting, to the story itself, for me, it is a book that fits such times. I really apprectiate a new good book to read when spending so much more time at home (as well as getting joy from rereading the old). Thankyou Ian Rankin

26 people found this helpful

Domino

Proof that retirement is not the end...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 1, 2020

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Ian Rankin made the decision many years ago that his central character, John Rebus, would age in real time meaning that he was forced to leave the police force several novels ago, yet the subsequent books have been no less thrilling or entertaining. A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES is no exception.

Rebus heads north having received a call from his daughter, Samantha, whose partner, Keith, has gone missing. Back in Edinburgh, Siobhan Clarke and Malcolm Fox investigate the murder of a James Bond-worshipping Saudi playboy student. The narrative alternates between the two plots connected by the relationship between Rebus and Clarke as they stay in touch by phone. And, when Siobhan's investigation turns up someone from near to the village in which Rebus's daughter lives, the cases become more intertwined.

As always though, it is the characters who drive the story. We enjoy spending time with the cantankerous John Rebus, and we worry about the COPD which has caused him to leave his flat, due to the struggle with stairs. He is getting old and Siobhan worries about him, even as she is exasperated by both Rebus and Fox. I really hope there are many more Rebus mysteries to come but, should the day come, and it will be a sad day, there is great potential in Clarke's and Fox's love/hate relationship.

And what happens after that last chapter? I cannot wait to find out

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