Book Review: "Exit Music" Ian Rankin (reviewed by F Hoffman)

Well fellow firelighters, when it comes to raging and lighting fires under fifty- something bloggers, I can think of no better role model than John Rebus, Ian Rankin’s troublesome Edinburgh DI. He has finally reached retirement age and although he has pre-cons more akin to arson than mere fire lighting, I am keen to ensure that he has not escaped the attention of others attracted to the ethos of this web site.

The Rebus novels work on many levels from a rattling good crime story, to a commentary on Scotland preparing for independence. The central character breaks the rules with a breath taking disregard for authority, and drags along the long suffering DS Siobhan Clarke in his wake. His addictive personality and outrageous behaviour has led him on a self destructive course, yet he is forgiven over and over again by those he has hurt along the way. Despite his flaws we want him to succeed, we want to see the bad guys brought to book. He stands up for the little guy against the powerful and corrupt. It’s never as simple as that though and the beautifully crafted romp through the shades of grey in between, are what has kept me coming back for more.

Exit Music is an end; I finished the book this morning with a sense of loss, no happy ending, loose ends all over the place, concern about how Rebus will fare in retirement still with me.
DS Clarke is left with more baggage and big Ger Cafferty’s life hanging on a thread. Rebus makes “Grumpy old men” look like amateurs, he has refused to move with the times yet his integrity is refreshingly modern.

The author uses references to Rebus’s musical taste through out the books to echo or contrast our hero’s fluctuating moods. This is brought together brilliantly with the retirement gift from Siobhan; an i-pod. Knowing that he could never cope with the technology, she has already downloaded all the right music. This confirms the bond in a way that a physical conclusion to their unrequited (and extremely unlikely) love, could not have come near.

Exit Music is still playing, if you know Rebus and haven’t read this one yet, get it. If you don’t know Rebus, get there before the music stops.



Derek Spencer