• Even Dogs in the Wild

  • By: Ian Rankin
  • Narrated by: James Macpherson
  • Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (498 ratings)

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Even Dogs in the Wild  By  cover art

Even Dogs in the Wild

By: Ian Rankin
Narrated by: James Macpherson
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Publisher's summary

Rebus comes out of retirement...to save his nemesis.

Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke is feeling the heat. She's investigating the death of a senior government prosecutor, David Minton, who has friends in high places. When one of their own is killed, the powers that be want answers fast. But Clarke is puzzled: If Minton died in a robbery as everyone thinks, why is nothing missing from his home? The answer may lie not in what was taken but in what was left behind at the scene - an ominous note.

Malcolm Fox is feeling useless. Shunned by his colleagues because of his past in the Complaints bureau, he's been reassigned to a grunt detail, helping a surveillance team - one that trusts him even less than his own boss does - track a notorious Glasgow crime family. Helping Clarke with the Minton case is the only thing that makes Fox feel like a real cop.

Newly minted civilian John Rebus is feeling restless. Being a cop is in his blood, and he's failing miserably at retirement. So when Clarke and Fox ask for his help, Rebus doesn't need long to consider his options. But before he can get his bearings, a call comes from Rebus' old nemesis - "Big Ger" Cafferty. Someone just fired a bullet through his front window - and sent him a note identical to Minton's. The normally unflappable old gangster is on edge, but for the life of him Cafferty can't figure out who he's wronged. And the only man he trusts with his life is Rebus.

As the cases collide, it's up to Clarke, Fox, and Rebus to connect the dots and save their unlikely ally, Cafferty, whose past harbors a shocking secret that implicates Minton's friends in an unspeakable crime. Even Dogs in the Wild reunites crime fiction legend Ian Rankin's greatest characters in an explosive story exploring the darkest corners of our desires.

©2016 Ian Rankin (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Retired Edinburgh Inspector John Rebus is back in the detecting game, and, thanks to narrator James Macpherson, he sounds as brilliant and curmudgeonly as ever.... [Macpherson] has a way with pacing as well; conversations move with realistic rhythm, barroom sections have the temper of single-malt whiskey, and action sequences are rat-a-tat-tat." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about Even Dogs in the Wild

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The Scottish accent is as much fun as the story!

The best thing about Rebus novels is the dialog, with its Scottish humor. The narrator's Scottish accent and lilt makes the dialog twice as good. Although it is true that for a Yank like me it was harder to understand what was being said and I had to pay closer attention, it was easily worth it.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Ian rankin

Ian Rankin can really write, and I love John Rebus. I'm so glad he's back in the game. The reader was perfect.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

my ears or the accent

I'm a big fan of Ian Rankin for his detective boks and the life and lore of Scotland. This time the accent was so strong it was sometimes difficult for me folow the action. And I do not like books about organuzed crime. This is a serial killer, not a mob hitman, so use your rewind feature as needed and enjoy.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I have no clue what happened!!

I was expecting great things out of this book, but sadly that didn't happen. I love crime but this book was confusing, and I believe that listening to it made it much much worse. I didn't understand most parts, I even listened to some parts twice. I found it so hard trying to concentrate on his voice, it just didn't click for me. I have finished the audiobook and have absolutely no clue what took place in this book. I have no idea what, who, why, when. I'm just glad that it's finished, and that is the worst thing about a book, trying to get it over with.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Ian Rankin does it again

Would you listen to Even Dogs in the Wild again? Why?

Unlike too many other icons of the mystery genre, Ian Rankin has evolved and updated this wonderful series with new, beautifully developed characters, partnered with Rebus, that old stalwart. If you have never tried him, this is the one for you.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Listen on 75% speed

I had to listen on 75% speed to be able to understand the accent. It work well and I was able to understand the content.

The story was a little slow, not withstanding the slower listening speed. Not as much action as the other Rebus books, but enjoyable.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Am I the only person to not like this stinker of a

Is there anything you would change about this book?

First, I'd kill the narrator. No...really. A fine Scots brogue is one thing but this was incomprehensible gibberish, in most parts. It was also uneven and just plain odd. Also, I'd introduce characters properly, if this was my book. Between the horrible Scots accent and the dozens of names and nicknames, it's really difficult to figure out who is , uhh, whom.

Would you recommend Even Dogs in the Wild to your friends? Why or why not?

Nope, not unless I wanted them to quit being my friend.

What didn’t you like about James Macpherson’s performance?

I think I covered that above. I couldn't understand him. And there were times that his voice boomed so loud it made me jump. Unnecessarily, I'l like to add.

Could you see Even Dogs in the Wild being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

NOOOOOOoooooooo!

Any additional comments?

I had read other reviews. I kept listening in hopes I'd find the sweet spot and actually like this book. Sadly, it didn't happen.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Rankin masterpiece

Another masterpiece by Rankin - my only disappointment - not another one ready to go! When will Rebus be in action again?

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Scottish brogue

The reader has such a strong Scottish brogue (accent) that I was unable to hear - especially since he read interpretative style rather than just read it. This is partly me of course with my ears but I listen to a lot of books on my iphone. If this is ever read in American English or even milder British, I'll give it another try. I've read or listened to all Rankin's books but this one won't be giving me a choice in method.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One of Rankin’s best

I loved this book. More of a reveal for Malcolm Fox, Rebus at his mellowing best, and a heart-wrenching crime story.

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