The Falls - Ian Rankin

Falls flat

I approached this novel as a newcomer to the world of DI John Rebus, the fact I have lived in Edinburgh for the past two and a half years notwithstanding. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll want to revisit it anytime soon.

"The Falls" is a long novel at almost 500 pages. It's just a shame the reader has to wait until the last fifty pages for any concrete action to take place. The more I think about it, the plot of this novel is as thin as the pages it's printed on, and worse still, it's contrived to the point of being silly.

Rankin employs sloppy narrative techniques to progress the plot along, and these developments usually follow long periods of storyline stagnation. For instance, two characters are introduced within twenty pages of the end with no purpose other than to read the number-plate of a car, but nevertheless enjoy a page or two of back-story and inane dialogue.

By this point, a pattern in Rankin's writing was obvious. If the plot has run aground, simply have a walk-on character come to the rescue. The main characters, particularly Rebus and Siobhan Clarke, don't really do anything. They imbibe alcohol and dither.

The premise for this story was intriguing: the little wooden coffins, a cryptic role-playing game possibly resulting in a murder. However, my lasting impression is one of an over-long, unwieldy mess. There is vast array of characters, the attention given to each helping to camouflage the lack of material. Just as all the police officers bemoan the lack of leads in their investigation throughout the novel, I too had become frustrated at the lack of sustained story development.

Oddly, the motives behind the characters' actions are barely touched upon. Why is Siobhan so obsessed with the game? Why was Flip killed? Why did Flip decide to play the game anyway? None of this, and much more, is adequately explained meaning the ending falls very flat.

So beyond the novelty of reading about places I know well in Edinburgh (Rankin name-drops relentlessly), and the hope that the story would somehow come together in an intriguing and dramatic climax, I was left disappointed. The conclusion of "The Falls" is implausible, and somewhat laughable.

Classic Rebus

Revolving around the disappearance of a university student, Rankin's tightly structured plot encompasses a genuine historical mystery (doll's coffins left on Arthur's Seat) and internet role-playing. Although Rebus doesn't believe that Philippa Balfour will be found alive, Rankin stretches out the tension and his attention to procedural detail is masterly. There are the usual red herrings, cleverly concealed details that you don't appreciate until the strands are tied up and romances between Clarke and Grant and Rebus and Jean Burchill, a museum curator and friend of Gill Templer.

Rankin maintains a realism to his depiction of the police force, particularly the retirement of DCS 'Farmer' Watson and promotion of Gill Templer, who is keen to impose her own regime on St Leonard's. Templer and Rebus's history makes for some fascinating scenes, underscored by Templer's concern about his drinking, but Rankin expands on this to show Templer's relationship with her female staff, particularly Ellen Gates, who she humiliates for her ambition, and her attempts to sponsor Clarke. Templer is an interesting character in her own right, and I look forward to seeing how Rankin handles her in the subsequent books. Watson's retirement also forces Rebus to focus on his own future, aware that he rapidly approaching the mandatory retirement age, giving him even more depth.

Although Rebus and Clarke are kept separate through this case, Rankin balances their strands perfectly, drawing out Rebus's intuition and Clarke's dedication. They each want to do things their own way, but Clarke is more politically savvy than Rebus and seems to care more about the consequences of their operations. Rebus is partnered with Gates for most of his strand and it's interesting to see how he behaves with a new colleague and how she reacts to what Templer did to her.

I managed to guess one of the outcomes to the book, but the other surprised me, which is always the mark of a novelist on top of his game. If I had a gripe, it was with the depiction of journalist Steve Holly, who seems to fall into the classic cliche of uncaring reporter who'd screw over anyone to get a story. While this didn't spoil the story, I hope that Rankin won't bring him back in subsequent works as I don't see he adds anything other than a desire to see him get what he deserves.

Intriguing plot

The summary of this thriller is well described by the Amazon.co.uk Reviews above and by most reviewers. This was the first book I read by Mr. Rankin and all I want to say is, it was truly captivating. An edge-of-the-seat book, gripping from page one. I'm looking forward to read some more of his works.

Excellent dramatization

I have not read any Inspector Rebus books,but Bert Coules' dramatization of this one kept me on the edge of my seat. Great story, great characters, acting and music. It was superb.

Next Sherlock?

This was the first novel I had from Ian Rankin. Since then I cannot stop thinking that Inspector Rebus could be our modern Sherlock Holmes. After I got this book I am always looking for more Ins. Rebus stories. I like them very much.

Falls flat

I approached this novel as a newcomer to the world of DI John Rebus, the fact I have lived in Edinburgh for the past two and a half years notwithstanding. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll want to revisit it anytime soon.

"The Falls" is a long novel at almost 500 pages. It's just a shame the reader has to wait until the last fifty pages for any concrete action to take place. The more I think about it, the plot of this novel is as thin as the pages it's printed on, and worse still, it's contrived to the point of being silly.

Rankin employs sloppy narrative techniques to progress the plot along, and these developments usually follow long periods of storyline stagnation. For instance, two characters are introduced within twenty pages of the end with no purpose other than to read the number-plate of a car, but nevertheless enjoy a page or two of back-story and inane dialogue.

By this point, a pattern in Rankin's writing was obvious. If the plot has run aground, simply have a walk-on character come to the rescue. The main characters, particularly Rebus and Siobhan Clarke, don't really do anything. They imbibe alcohol and dither.

The premise for this story was intriguing: the little wooden coffins, a cryptic role-playing game possibly resulting in a murder. However, my lasting impression is one of an over-long, unwieldy mess. There is vast array of characters, the attention given to each helping to camouflage the lack of material. Just as all the police officers bemoan the lack of leads in their investigation throughout the novel, I too had become frustrated at the lack of sustained story development.

Oddly, the motives behind the characters' actions are barely touched upon. Why is Siobhan so obsessed with the game? Why was Flip killed? Why did Flip decide to play the game anyway? None of this, and much more, is adequately explained meaning the ending falls very flat.

So beyond the novelty of reading about places I know well in Edinburgh (Rankin name-drops relentlessly), and the hope that the story would somehow come together in an intriguing and dramatic climax, I was left disappointed. The conclusion of "The Falls" is implausible, and somewhat laughable.

Classic Rebus

Revolving around the disappearance of a university student, Rankin's tightly structured plot encompasses a genuine historical mystery (doll's coffins left on Arthur's Seat) and internet role-playing. Although Rebus doesn't believe that Philippa Balfour will be found alive, Rankin stretches out the tension and his attention to procedural detail is masterly. There are the usual red herrings, cleverly concealed details that you don't appreciate until the strands are tied up and romances between Clarke and Grant and Rebus and Jean Burchill, a museum curator and friend of Gill Templer.

Rankin maintains a realism to his depiction of the police force, particularly the retirement of DCS 'Farmer' Watson and promotion of Gill Templer, who is keen to impose her own regime on St Leonard's. Templer and Rebus's history makes for some fascinating scenes, underscored by Templer's concern about his drinking, but Rankin expands on this to show Templer's relationship with her female staff, particularly Ellen Gates, who she humiliates for her ambition, and her attempts to sponsor Clarke. Templer is an interesting character in her own right, and I look forward to seeing how Rankin handles her in the subsequent books. Watson's retirement also forces Rebus to focus on his own future, aware that he rapidly approaching the mandatory retirement age, giving him even more depth.

Although Rebus and Clarke are kept separate through this case, Rankin balances their strands perfectly, drawing out Rebus's intuition and Clarke's dedication. They each want to do things their own way, but Clarke is more politically savvy than Rebus and seems to care more about the consequences of their operations. Rebus is partnered with Gates for most of his strand and it's interesting to see how he behaves with a new colleague and how she reacts to what Templer did to her.

I managed to guess one of the outcomes to the book, but the other surprised me, which is always the mark of a novelist on top of his game. If I had a gripe, it was with the depiction of journalist Steve Holly, who seems to fall into the classic cliche of uncaring reporter who'd screw over anyone to get a story. While this didn't spoil the story, I hope that Rankin won't bring him back in subsequent works as I don't see he adds anything other than a desire to see him get what he deserves.

Intriguing plot

The summary of this thriller is well described by the Amazon.co.uk Reviews above and by most reviewers. This was the first book I read by Mr. Rankin and all I want to say is, it was truly captivating. An edge-of-the-seat book, gripping from page one. I'm looking forward to read some more of his works.

Excellent dramatization

I have not read any Inspector Rebus books,but Bert Coules' dramatization of this one kept me on the edge of my seat. Great story, great characters, acting and music. It was superb.

Next Sherlock?

This was the first novel I had from Ian Rankin. Since then I cannot stop thinking that Inspector Rebus could be our modern Sherlock Holmes. After I got this book I am always looking for more Ins. Rebus stories. I like them very much.