A Heart Full of Headstones

By: Ian Rankin

Narrated by: James Macpherson

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

THE BRAND NEW REBUS THRILLER FROM THE ICONIC NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER. ONE OF THE MUST-LSTENINOVELS OF THE YEAR.

'I loved it - Rebus is one of fiction's greatest creations' MARIAN KEYES

John Rebus stands accused: the once legendary detective is on trial, facing the rest of his life behind bars.

How does a hero turn villain?
Or have times changed, and the rules with them?

Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke tackles Edinburgh's most explosive case in years, as a corrupt cop harbouring huge secrets goes missing.

But is her loyalty to the police or the public? And who can she trust when nobody is truly innocent - including her former mentor Rebus - and a killer walks among them?

As the time comes to choose sides, it becomes clear: after a lifetime of lies, the truth will break your heart...

* * * * *

PRAISE FOR A HEART FULL OF HEADSTONES:

'Phenomenal ... The ending is going to floor readers. Everyone is going to be talking about this!'
MICK HERRON

'Magnificent - beautifully written, clever - and what an ending!'
KATE MOSSE

'Peerless. Immaculately crafted, gripping, intricately textured. By turns wry, brutal, unflinching, heart-filled.'
SARAH VAUGHAN

'The standout novel from one of the great storytellers of our generation ... The kind of ending you won't ever forget.'
CHRIS WHITAKER

©2022 Ian Rankin (P)2022 Orion Publishing Group

Disappointing

I love the Rebus books but this one’s more dour than most with a contrived ending Would have preferred a rekindling of romance and a lot more black humour. I bought it it because I’ve read all the rest. As a part of a greater whole it’s just ok. But thank you Ian Rankin for the character of John Rebus. Please do him justice !

If this is the final chapter, then Kudos!

First time, I think, I have read a Rebus on release day, such was the anticipation given the teaser.

James McPherson does a fantastic job narrating (for a Weegie) so much so that after finishing A Song for Dark Times, I went back to Knots and Crosses.

There has been much said in other comments about 'too many characters' if this is your first Rebus then I can understand that. Yet if it is that Rankin has created a Rebus Univerese, and if it is this is to be our heroes final installment, then all the nods were welcomed. With the exception of the new criminal crews most of the established characters were there from outing five the Black Book; Cafferty, Clark & the SAAB. All of which were given a very satisfactory resolution, especially the Holmes/Moriarty relationship that had developed since Exit Music .

As a stand alone tale, does it work? Yes, if the new reader ignores what they see as minor or peripheral characters there is the strong dynamic between Clark & Fox. The story of modern policing v traditional and how the public perceive 'getting a result'. A couple of jibes against policing Tweets would have been welcomed to drive home this point.

Redemption! perhaps this ought to be the one word review. What we do, who we effect, what stains remain ?


Like Rankin I grew in Fife and spent my formative years in and around Edinburgh, I know these streets, these bars.

If it is that this is the last, then Mr Rankin take a bow and Thank You!