Ian Rankin is a master storyteller and his John Rebus series has been around for 35 years because the characters are multilayered and complex and the endings always have an element of surprise. This book, 26th in the series, starts with John Rebus in court, as the defendant. We don't know what he is charged with until close to the end of the story, just that it is serious. The next chapter goes to the past, to the start of what led John to the dock. He may be retired and COPD slowing him down, but when his old nemesis Ger Cafferty asks him to find a man that everyone thought Big Ger had killed for stealing from him many years ago, Rebus decides to look into the matter for his own reasons. Meanwhile, Siobhan Clark and her team are working a case that might affect Rebus: a police officer with inside information on years of misconduct by his coworkers, including Rebus, is threatening to expose all to save his own neck, and Malcolm Fox is almost salivating at the thought of finally getting the goods on Rebus and other corrupt cops. This story is one of Rankin's finest, exploring the changing face of policing and society's attitudes toward officers of the law and deftly weaving it in with a first rate mystery that keeps you turning the pages right to the end.

Good story with twists. Characters are not sympathetic. Story is of police gone bad. It was hard to feel for them

It came as a shock to me to realize that I’ve been reading this series since back in the 1980s. When Rebus retired from the police force, I thought the series would end or Rebus’s detective work too tenuous, but Rankin always seems to find a way to make Rebus’s sleuthing natural.

The opening and closing of the book have Rebus on trial. This frames the story, which has his longtime colleague, Siobhan Clarke (now a Detective Inspector), investigating a missing cop, a bad actor who, if found, might expose years of corruption in the force, possibly even Rebus’s. At the same time, Rebus has taken on a request from his old criminal nemesis, Big Ger Cafferty, to trace an old associate, supposedly dead.

Rebus and Siobhan each delve into the seamier side of police work; the part where its officers trade favors with crooks, with some becoming crooks themselves. His investigation and hers criss-cross over and over, with both knowing that hers may well end up revealing far more about Rebus’s past than is safe for his future.

The Rebus of 24 books on is not the brawling, hard drinker of the early years. Now the years of smoking and drinking have taken their toll, but he’s just as determined as ever to get answers, whatever the cost. In this case, the cost may turn out to be dire.

I’d say this series has lost a little bit of its verve, but only a little bit. It’s still a strong, character-driven crime series with a strong sense of time and place.

Having read another in this series featuring Inspector John Rebus, I was looking forward to this one. And alas, I felt lost almost from the beginning and struggled to get through it. There were just too many characters and scenes that shifted far too often for me to keep it all straight. That said, my bet is that long-time readers of this popular series will enjoy it thoroughly.

Retired and not in the best of health, Rebus finds himself on the wrong side of the law - on trial for committing an undisclosed crime. From that beginning, the rest of the book goes back in time - to his old stomping grounds at Tynecastle, where "dirty" cops were the order of the day - to piece together what happened. Although he doesn't deny that he may have participated in more than a few shady operations himself, he can't quite make himself believe his actions were all that serious - mostly, they consisted of simply looking the other way. When one of the cops from back then ends up murdered, readers get to see Rebus's former protoge, now Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke, do her thing amid colleagues, some of whom still think women really don't belong in the police department.

The ending is a cliffhanger that suggests there will be a follow-up - and I'll be waiting for that one. For those new to this series, I must say this isn't the place to start - back up a bit and get more of a feel for some of the characters from an earlier time. Rebus is an interesting character who's time may be up, and I'm curious as to how it all will end for him. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

Rankin delivers another entertaining story in the Rebus series. Lots of action, a little darker with multiple storylines and great character development. This book is dependent on back stories from the series, so I wouldn’t recommend to readers new to the Rebus series but for anyone who is familiar with Rebus, Siobhan, Cafferty, and Malcolm this will be a home run.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the eARC.

John Rebus is back and what a comeback.

He is standing trial that may put him behind bars for life.

Rebus might have pushed the rules but it is doubtful he committed a crime.

Malcolm Fox might think otherwise.

Rebus may by physically ailing but his mind is still sharp, he still has all the techniques that have served him well in the past.

Siobhan is on her own case and Rebus is right there much to her chagrin.

Two years ago I decided to read the entire Rebus series and I am so glad I did.

I could not put down A Heart Full of Headstones and have my fingers crossed to see Rebus, Clarke and even Fox again sometime soon.

Cant wait to get my hard copy to sit proudly on my book shelves beside the rest of the series

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for a page turning read

I'd fallen behind in the Rebus books the past few years, but I'm glad I didn't miss the chance to read A Heart Full of Headstones. It's darker than I remember the series, not that that's a bad thing by any means, as seeing Rebus older and on the other side of the looking glass so speak, it pulled me right it. The book is filled with plenty of familiar friends and foes, and all the twists you'd expect from Rankin, who feels at the top of his game here as Rebus may be physically faltering but his mind and intent are not. Highly recommended to anyone whose been sleeping on Rankin as of late.!

Many thanks to both Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of A Heart Full of Headstones.

John Rebus is accused of a crime that could put him behind bars for the rest of his life. It's not the first time the legendary detective has taken the law into his own hands, though it might be the last...

I'm a wee bit embarrassed to admit that #24 is the first Inspector Rebus book I've read. I can now understand why this series is much loved by so many! I probably would have better understood the backstories had I read the previous 23 books, as the number of characters to keep track of sometimes boggled my mind. Having said that, however, I still enjoyed reading A Heart Full of Headstones and I LOVED John Rebus! What's not to love? He's nosy. He's a lover of music. He has a gruff demeanor, but also has a kind heart and a wry sense of humor. Nor can I forget to mention his totally loveable dog named Brillo.

I have a feeling Rebus is well ready for whatever comes next in his life!

Rebus is in a bit of trouble. When DI Clarke and long time Rebus friend looks into it old debts are uncovered. As usual Rankin write with prose of a expert he is. Fabulous novel and never dull. Recommend.

Ian Rankin's John Rebus series has got to be one of the consistently best series that is out there. In this, the twenty-fourth installment, Rankin has outdone himself in terms of plotting and storytelling. This book is a rich tapestry of complex characters and plot twists. A Heart Full of Headstones has to be one of Rankin's best so far, and that's saying a lot.

The book opens with Rebus on trial, but what could he have possibly have been caught doing? During his long career as a police detective he has bent and broken so many rules, one has to wonder if maybe the chickens have finally come home to roost. The reader is then taken back in time to a meeting with Rebus' nemesis Big Ger Cafferty. Both the aging ex-detective and the wheelchair-bound former gangster square off when Cafferty asks Rebus to find a man so Cafferty can atone for his unwarranted actions toward him. Rebus doubts Cafferty's sincerity but agrees to see if he can find the man.

Meanwhile, a dirty police detective is missing and Siobhan Clarke is recruited to the investigation team. Unfortunately, as she and the team begin uncovering evidence of his misdeeds, the name John Rebus keeps coming up. It's a dilemma for Siobhan: can she solve the case and still protect her former mentor?

How Rankin weaves the plot lines together with his taut narration makes for a fast-paced police procedural that is both complex and entertaining. This is a character-driven novel that sucks the reader in.as we root for Rebus to get away with his misdeeds just one more time.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an advance copy of this book for review. The publication date is October 18, 2022.

If you've loved, or even liked, Ian Rankin's fictional detective John Rebus, READ THIS BOOK. It is relatively short at 320 pages - I got through most of it in one idle afternoon and evening when I had no electricity thanks to Hurricane Fiona. It's kind of an homage to the way it was when Rebus was at the top of his game. Now he's retired, has COPD, and the only credential on his lanyard is a doctor's note that he is exempt from wearing a mask during covid. He can still get around in the decrepit Saab and figure out a few things about the usual Venn diagram of gangs, drugs, victims and bent cops.

Rebus bluffs his way to access more crime scenes, chatty professionals and incident rooms than you would imagine Siobhan could ever allow him to, even with their history. This novel got a lot done efficiently and enjoyably. Pure plot and our favorite characters, though I wish we didn't hate Malcolm Fox so much. If you happen to see any reviews that indicate spoilers, please avoid them and find out how it ends by reading the story.

Finally, the title is so brilliant. Its from a song by Jackie Leven, new to me, but now that I have listened to it and read a 2021 Irish Times article by Ian Rankin about Jackie Leven and their collaboration, I have some listening to do.

If you're new to Rebus, don't start here. Go back and pick out a few earlier titles that intrigue you!

Thanks @netgalley, author, publisher for this preview copy in exchange for an honest review. Publication date October 13.

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Another satisfying yarn featuring the great John Rebus.

It's interesting to see how Ian Rankin continues to bring back the retired detective and still keep the character and series fresh. This time out, Rebus is on trial and the gang's all back including Siobhan Clarke, Malcom Fox, and Big Ger Cafferty. It's like visiting with old friends and makes the pages fly by.

It's suspenseful right up to the surprise ending! Loved it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced read. I hope to use this novel in class later this semester to compare/contrast character traits, and show how the rising action events in the story builds to a climax.

I have read all of Ian Rankin's "Rebus" novels and found them to be enjoyable. The same can be said of "Heart Full of Headstones". However, this novel is a little darker since it seems to be as much about endings as it does mystery or police procedural. I think the qaulity of the writing is still very good, but the plot seems less engaging,

I have to honestly acknowledge that I am a huge Rebus and Ian Rankin fan. A Heart Full of Headstones is the 24th John Rebus novel, and I have read all of the books in this series. While not all are 5 star books, most are, and certainly A Heart Full of Headstones is a 5 star novel.

As is always true, John Rebus is intuitive and clever. Rankin acknowledges the passing of time, and thus, this Rebus is in failing health. Too much smoking, too many drinks, not enough exercise, and too few visits to a doctor. However there is nothing wrong with Rebus' deductive abilities. DI Clark, a former partner, and the nearly, although not quite irritating, DI Fox are also present, as well as an entire police station of small time criminals, who are possibly sheltering a murderer. The plotting is impeccable and nicely taut. I admit to having been worried about the ending, and was thrilled to be surprised at the final pages. Rankin does a nice job dealing with the pandemic in Edinburgh and the various ways in which the city is dealing with fewer policemen on the streets.

I do highly recommend this book, and if I was simply a public city librarian, I would buy it in a moment. I will be recommending A Heart Full of Headstones to book club groups and to friends. I thank the author and publisher for providing this ARC. I will be posting my review online and in bookstores, both virtual and local. I am appreciative that NetGalley has listed this book on its site.

This is the 24th book in the Inspector Rebus series set in Edinburgh. Rebus is older, retired, and has breathing problems, but he can’t help trying to get involved in police matters. He keeps in touch with his former partner, Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke, as well as his old nemesis, the crime boss Morris Cafferty. When Cafferty gives Rebus an “assignment,” of course he can’t resist.

Cafferty, now in a wheelchair, wants Rebus to help find Jack Oram, a man Cafferty once employed, a man who presumably double-crossed Cafferty. As Rebus investigates, his efforts dovetail with a case Clarke is working on, relating to a dirty cop - one of many - from the Tynecastle Police Station.

DI Malcolm Fox from the Specialist Crime Division is sent over by the Assistant Chief Constable, Jennifer Lyon, to get involved on Clarke’s case as well, because higher ups are worried about possible repercussions for the police. The Tynecastle officer she is investigating, Francis Haggard, is threatening to name a bunch of other names if he is prosecuted, and one of them just may be John Rebus.

In the end, a whole lot of dirty laundry gets exposed, and careers are both destroyed and advanced. And more portentously for Rebus and Clarke, some people end up dead.

Evaluation: If I hadn’t read previous Rebus books, and seen at least one of the television series, I suspect I would have had no idea what was going on in this book. It is definitely one for previous fans of the series. Knowledge of prior relationships is assumed by the author, and the plot is complicated. But those in the know will enjoy the story.

Wow! I didn’t see that twist coming from Rebus during his trial. All the bad guys that we love to hate are here and then some. It’s great to see Siobhan leading cases. She knows how to handleMalcolm Fox and Rebus when he gets in her way trying to stay in the know. Rebus doesn’t understand the meaning of the word Retired!

The ‘catching up’ scenes between Cafferty and Rebus are fantastic and everything I love about Ian Rankin’s writing. Rebus has become that annoying retired cop who always stops by the precinct to try and help with cases. Poor guy.

A Heart Full of Headstones is my favorite thus far!
So much action, so many characters and information thrown at you from old cases to figure out what in the world is happening. The humor between Rebus and his old detective pals and old criminals makes for fun reading.

There is never a dull moment. Highly recommended for fans of the series. I was not disappointed. I was sad reading about Rebus’ trial; especially when you understand the complexity and gravity of his possible future.

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review…thanks to the publisher for the electronic copy. Mystery and intrigue…friends…family…red herrings…who did it? Guessing…right…wrong…guess again…this is a cannot put down novel written by a talented author. I look forward to more books by this writer…although the story moved slowly, at times, it came to a resounding end.

This is the best Rebus in ages. Not not is Rankin literally one of the greatest crime writers in modern times, but he’s given Rebus such a great awareness as he grows older, which only makes the character greater, and once again a pleasure to read. Complex and compelling as always, BRAVO!

The novel opens with Rebus in court, surprisingly as the defendant. Rebus’s old nemesis, underworld figure Cafferty, wants to hire him to find a man who is supposedly dead. Cafferty claims he wants to personally apologize to this man, who stole money from him years ago. Meanwhile Siobhan is working on a case which involves a cop, domestic violence, and murder. This is a real page turner—in the last chapter we learn the shocking reason why Rebus was in court. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

Excellent work by Ian Rankin! I must admit the past few Rankin books were a bit disappointing but this one reminds you and even exceeds past works. Not sure if this works as a stand alone but knowing the past story lines this tightly woven, multi layered story line , excellent character development is a tour de force-really! I won’t give away the ending only to ask is it the ending? A high recommend.