This is a complicated story full of twists and turns. Stick with it. Lots of police procedure stuff, lots of characters from Rankin's previous novels and of course, Rebus. But not as a serving detective. He is on the sidelines investigating a separate case involving a man jailed for killing his girlfriend. As always, a well written, enjoyable read.

Not going to lie - I have been putting off writing this review for quite some time. Not for any bad reasons - this is not going to be a critical review so if that's what you're looking for, sorry to disappoint. No. I've put it off for two reasons. Number one - I both read and listened to this book, which makes it an altogether different experience and, at times, harder to review as a result. Switching between narration and reading does change the way in which I absorb what is happening quite significantly so I have to think that little bit harder about what I want to write. The second reason ... Well that's simple. I am a little bit ... uncertain ... as to how to even begin to review the book.

Why? Well it's book number twenty-two for heaven's sake. I don't think there is very much left to be said about the strength of the series, the appeal of the characters, the very special blend of humour and hard hitting story telling that has come to signify the world of John Rebus. In A House of Lies is every bit as much of this as its predecessors, so how do I even begin to frame a unique and insightful review around that? There are no new words left. (Can you tell I'm stalling here ...?)

The book is really divided into two distinct storylines. The first, and the most integral part of the novel, is the investigation into the murder of a private investigator, Stuart Bloom, who had been missing since 2006. With links back to the Police department, significantly one John Rebus who was involved in the original investigation into Bloom's disappearance, all eyes are upon Siobhan Clarke and the team who are tasked with solving the case. The man is found in handcuffs, meaning that the list of suspects includes both criminals and police officers alike, and with Rebus as both witness and potential suspect, there are those who would love a chance to bring down the man who has always been a thorn in their side. It adds both drama and tension to the story as, whilst we readers know Rebus isn't involved, the chance that Professional Standards could finally have a chance to frame him puts the team, specifically Clarke, under pressure to prove otherwise.

The secondary story involves Clarke and gives Rebus a chance to investigate a case which is far removed from his own and in which there can be no accusations of tampering. He sets to trying to find out who is threatening Clarke and why she is becoming a target for vandalism. This is, in itself, a dark and twisted case, but one which sees Rebus in his element.

The series shows no sign of slowing, in spite of our favourite hero starting to show his age and struggle with some of the basic tasks he would once have taken for granted. His wit is as acerbic as ever, this intelligence never in doubt, and his ability to dodge curveballs unrivaled. He is a brilliant character, not really dulled by time or retirement. As you would expect though, Rebus takes a bit of a back seat in this investigation, Clarke and Fox taking centre stage more and more. Both are great characters in their own right, more than capable of carrying a story, but I must admit I do like the scenes where the three of them are together all the more as Fox and Rebus make perfect sparring partners, and Clarke always manages to keep Rebus in check whilst still reluctantly capitulating to his will. Well, someone needs to check on and feed Brillo when Rebus isn't around ...

Speaking of fascinating sparring partners, there is good amount of banter and light hearted conflict between Rebus and Cafferty in this book too, as the investigation into Stuart Bloom's death brings them right back to Cafferty's front door. I'm always fascinated by the way the two characters interact, the mutual respect combined with the natural distrust given the disparity between their chosen careers.

This is really engrossing story, a blend of cold case and new, which sees the team enter a number of very familiar worlds, and exposing some very long held secrets. This isn't the fastest paced of the novels, the level of jeopardy may not even seem to be as high given that the victim died so many years ago, and yet the threat is always there. Perhaps not from where you would expect, but there is still menace in the actions of many.

I really enjoy this series and this is another cracking instalment. We may have to wait longer between releases but it just makes the anticipation greater. We all know the series has to end sometime as even Rebus can;t go on forever, but until it does, I'll enjoy what is to come, and make the most of the vast library of Rebus titles I can go back and gorge on at leisure.

Retired Inspector Rebus returns to action when a skeleton is found in some woods and thought to be linked to a previous investigation which went wrong. Rebus has health problems but he keeps going.

I loved the latest instalment of this series, it was just of a high a standard as the previous books. I loved it! Can not wait for the next one. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Ian Rankin for the advanced copy of this book. I agreed to give my unbiased opinion voluntarily.

This is the latest of the Rebus stories. I’ve been fortunate to read a large number of the previous titles. This is one of the better ones. It tells an interesting story tying together a number of plots in a good story. Highly recommended.

Another great book in the series by this author. Even though the main character has retired he still manages to get himself into the investigation. Highly recommend this book. 5 stars

This was an enjoyable read.
Although far fetched in places it certainly kept me involved.
I just wonder how much longer the author can keep writing about Rebus.

Rebus is back – and though he might be retired, he’s far from finished as he gets caught up in a case that will dredge up the secrets of the past and disrupt an even murkier present. While Rebus himself may be in physical decline, this Edinburgh-set series continues to go from strength to strength. The latest addition is pacy and wonderfully crafted, with plenty of intrigue and excellent characterisation.

Rankin has a narrative gift that allows the reader to be carried along on the current of his storyline. This book has the current police force investigating a murder that Rebus had previously investigated as a missing person. Along the way we are treated to the dirty laundry of the Scottish police force past and present alongside its force that investigates police complaints. The dual storyline makes for an interesting read. I love the characterisation and the way Rankin weaves their personalities into the storyline I have read many of Ian Rankin's books and never really worried about reading them in order. Whilst this novel does stand well on its own merits it would perhaps have been useful to read the one that chronicles the original case. One day i will read them in order

Rebus is one of those series that you know you can rely on time after time. Ian Rankin has managed to keep the series evolving at just the right pace, keeping step with Rebus as he gets that little bit older each time. He delivers again here, with another page-turner of a tale that I'd recommend to fans and newbies alike.

Rebus has retired and Siobhan Clarke is his main link to the force now. Siobhan is working on the case of a missing Private Investigator who reappears in the woods that were searched at the time of the original case with nothing to be found. Only he has reappeared in the boot of an old VW with his ankles hand-cuffed together. Furthermore there is an investigation by the Anti Corruption Unit into previous activity by many people involved on old cases. This looks like spilling over into the re-launched case with many of those involved at risk of being brought to book for less than perfect conduct. Siobhan feels threatened by incidents going on around her and turns to Rebus for his help, as someone outside the force.

I liked the intrigue in this book and it was interesting how the twists and turns of the tale were spun out into the novel. However, I drifted off in the middle of the story and found it a bit less interesting and had to make myself keep reading to see how it ended. It did pick up again and regain its verve and vigour in the latter part. I could picture the images conjured by the text (apart from that bit in the middle), so watched it in my minds eye, it was written well enough to enable me to do so.

I'm sure that there are many fans of Ian Rankin's who are going to love this book and many others who enjoy a crime thriller will do so as well.

I usually enjoy Rebus tales but now he has retired it isn't so much about him any more. The story started off interestingly but seemed to get a bit convoluted with too many extraneous characters.
Slightly disappointing.

This was actually the first Rankin novel I’d ever read, so I’m starting from a different position to most readers, I imagine.
I found it difficult to get into, not being familiar with all the various characters, and they way they’re called variously by their christian names and surnames confounded my confusion!
But l soon got the various people sorted out, and enjoyed it hugely by the end! (Although I must admit, there was a moment, in the final pages, where I thought “who..?!”)

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I must be one of the very few people who have never read an Ian Rankin book, silly silly me. I really really enjoyed this book and want to get to understand and know John Rebus so shall be definitely getting the previous 21 novels.

I couldn't finish this book........I had no interest in the characters or the plot. In fairness its not my usual genre ,there were far too many characters for me

A little less Rebus and a little more Shiv

We all really knew that John Rebus would not be able to keep his nose out of police business when he retired, and this book continues in that fashion.

DI Siobhan (Shiv) Clarke has been seconded to MIT (following a harrowing time at the hands of ACU - Police Scotland’s Anti-Corruption Unit) when a red Polo is found in nearby woods. In the boot is a skeleton with signs of an old head wound and handcuffs around the ankles. As the team start from scratch, enter John Rebus, who announces that the body is probably that of Stuart Bloom, a private detective who disappeared in 2006. What follows is an investigation not only into how the body arrived in the woods but also into the way the case was handled by the police in 2006.

From there on in, multiple cans of worms appear, involving two main ‘businessmen’ in the shape of Sir Adrian Brand and Jackie Ness. And in the background lurks the figure of Rebus’s arch-nemesis, Big ‘Ger’ Cafferty.

At the same time, following some nuisance calls Shiv has received, she asks Rebus to look into one her previous cases.

For followers of Rebus-like myself, this is a must-read. Ian Rankin has not lost any of his wit and sparkle. The plot moves along relentlessly with Rebus where he has been since the beginning - on the edge.

Highly recommended.

Sméagol

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

I haven't read all of the Rebus books but I have read several. Some from early on in his career and others more recent. I have to say that I do prefer the earlier ones. As befits someone who is retired, Rebus is necessarily far from the centre of the action. There are a lot of other characters and for me, it was confusing trying to follow them all. The book seemed to come to life when Rebus was in a scene. He is a great character and I can see why Rankine is finding it hard to let him go. Siobhan Clarke is a worthy sidekick but in many ways this is more her story. What I really love about this series though is how Edinburgh is brought to life.

Not my favourite Rebus but enjoyable nonetheless. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

If you are keen on a smart police procedural that doesn't contain violence, gore or omnipotent serial killer baddies, In a House of Lies is for you. I am enamored by the good old fashion police work without heavy reliance on technology or implausible means. This book leaves me with the feeling that I have missed an entire career of sarcastic genius from John Rebus as this was my first book in the series. Not a problem. I look forward to going back in time with John to see how he started and reached this point in his life, having just retired from policing.

In a House of Lies offers the Scottish police a fresh look at a cold case that happened years ago during a time when policemen bent the rules quite a lot and were on the payroll of powerful men to do their bidding. A body is discovered that went missing back when Rebus and his shady compatriots were on the job, which creates more questions than is comfortable for them. The location, the circumstances and the evidence at hand points to police involvement but John Rebus is less than sure. He, though not still working, helps out Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke as she leads the investigation both in this case and another that has caused DI Clarke a bit of grief. Not a cold case, exactly, but not far off warm. Both cases will intrigue the reader and offer satisfying conclusions.

I really liked Rebus and Siobhan. Their banter is great and they have an easy way with each other that tells of many years sharing confidences. As I said, this was a terrific read and I am keen to see how they reached this point. It's unlikely the timeline for the Rebus books will go back as far as the original investigation but it will add more colour to the picture, as a whole, of who is who and the background behind their relationships.

I was delighted to be sent an ARC of this novel by Netgalley having been a huge Rebus fan right from the beginning. But is this really another Rebus book ? Rebus retired in 2006 and with each subsequent book he moves further from the core of the story. It now seems to be mainly about other characters who have populated previous books as well as some new character. Remembering everyone and past connections can get confusing and requires concentration. The main character seems to be D I Siobhan Clarke, but Rebus is now in the background, seeming to pull the strings of the professionals with all his contacts. He seems to be able to get into non public areas of police offices as well as meetings with relative ease, despite being retired. Is this real life ? Is it time to properly retire Rebus and for Ian Rankin to develop a new character ? I’ve just read the first two Michael Connolly books featuring his new female detective. If he can switch horses and others have done so too, perhaps it’s time for Rankin to consider the option. But in the end Rebus succeeds in pulling all the complicated threads together and he turns out to be as wiley as of old. It’s good to see the old dry humour is still there. Overall this is another great piece of writing by Ian Rankin and was thoroughly enjoyable. But a Rebus book it’s becoming less and less.

Crime is not something I often read but I do enjoy watching the John Rebus series on TV so when I noticed this book I thought I'd give it a read.

The story opens up well with the discovery of a dead body. It engaged my attention and had me interested. A private investigator locked in a car and hidden in the woods but it seems the murder happened years ago causing the reopening of an old investigation that to be honest became a little tedious for my tastes. I didn't especially engage with the characters as the story developed and really only looked forward to scenes with Rebus so in the end I wasn't too fussed about who had committed the crime all those years ago.

Perhaps crime genre does not suit my reading tastes and perhaps if I had known the other characters, from having read previous stories in this series. maybe I would have enjoyed this book more. I would certainly recommend seeking out other reviews as I suspect many readers will appreciate this novel more than I did.