Q) What does a brilliant detective do after being sentenced to life imprisonment?

A) Solve ultra difficult murders.

Rebus got a life sentence for murdering his criminal nemesis ‘Big Ger’ Cafferty. It was accidental but nonetheless he was found guilty and, as an older criminal, faced dying in prison. For his own protection he was placed in a separation wing. Eventually he was integrated and immediately came under the ‘protection’ of the king-pin. Through an unintended consequence of Big Ger’s death this criminal baron had benefitted enormously from the space created by Rebus’s action. And was suitably grateful.

Rebus needed protection but it came with obligations. When there was a ‘closed door’ murder Rebus saw ex-colleagues hard at work. They saw him as an ally and an ‘insider’. Needless to relate the case was fiendishly complex. Equally needless to relate Rebus aided their triumph.

Sadly, there is a ‘happy-ever-after’ ending. Sadly? Well, what a wonderful piece of character development from the Rebus formula to have him in a prison, which should have been built on. Rankin has done what none of the book-a-year crowd do: throw a curve ball.

Very readable and warmly recommended