A Question of Blood

An Inspector Rebus Novel

By: Ian Rankin

Narrated by: James Macpherson

Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

When a former soldier and recluse murders two 17-year-old students at a posh Edinburgh boarding school, Inspector John Rebus immediately suspects there is more to the case than meets the eye.

©2004 Ian Rankin (P)2014 Hachette Audio

A Question of Blood

I loved it, especially the ending. It was wickedly good. I can't wait for the next book. They are always a good read.

Great Story

Great story and wonderful performance. Never a dull moment. Love main character. Hope next comes soon.

One of Ian's Very Best

I have read or listened to all of Rankin's "Rebus" novels, and this is one of my top two favorites (rivaling Saints of the Shadow Bible).

There is so much bad writing in this genre. I am grateful to have discovered Rankin because he is a great artist who tells an exciting and engaging story. When I click on the sample of a book by another writer and it starts right in with the authorial voice explaining the characters to the reader, I just say "Nope" and shut it off.

Rankin knows how to write. He knows how to tell the story through the ACTIONS of the characters, not by explaining everything like these bunglers.

Rebus has become something of a hero for me. He makes a lot of mistakes, sure, but he has an underlying sense of justice that drives him. He has a passion for it. Plus high intelligence and courage. He is a believable shaggy hero for our messy world.

Please keep at it, Rebus, and Ian! Now that PD James and Ruth Rendell have left this earthly plane, we are running out of detective fiction writers who can actually write. We must have Rankin for a good long while.

Ra,kin does it again

I could listen to James McPherson read the phone book!
Reins feels like s real person, not a fiction.

Another great story and a great listen

Love listening to either of the Simons reading. They are different, but both have long been on my list of greats. The story is another Peter Robinson winner! I have read and listened to all but the last - and I am saving that for a walk in the hills after my retirement.

Top of the line rebus

Prime Rebus has it all. Humor villains family dysfunction bad government types and Sioban, and the most important character of all after Rebus --Edinburgh.

Do I love the content or narration more?

I've become so attached to Rebus' predictably annoying neurosis and his friendship with Siobhan that I forgive plot confusions and wonder if my experience of them is my fault for being distracted during the time I'm listening, or, intrinsic to his crafting of this volume. I care more about character than plot, so perhaps that's not so important.

I could listen to James Macpherson read the phone book and be absolutely entertained for hours on end, so am left unsure how to offer an objective review. If you value what I do, you'll enjoy the book. At this stage in the series we fans are just following Rebus qua Rankin as he ages with us.

Younger readers should begin at the beginning, of course. Enjoy learning to perceive imperfections of a knotty character. Such texture in character development--at least in crime fiction--grows rarer each year.

A lot more about Siobhan and Rebus relationship

I enjoyed it but this one is a much more personal view of our detectives relationship. The story moves a little more slowly as the characters emotions are revealed.

another good book in the series

I know how difficult the audio is but I've had to really listen to this several times unlike the previous book week who seem better able to differentiate the characters one hopes that revis would quit drinking and embrace life it'll be interesting to see if he can ever get rid of his demons

Better and better!

This was the first Rebus book that actually brought tears to my eyes. The football story. 😢

I love Rankin's writing style, his wit, and attention to detail. This story showed a bit more of the "softer" side of John Rebus. I enjoyed the tie-in Adrian McKinty later made in his Sean Duffy series book GUN STREET GIRL (I highly recommend that series set in Northern Ireland during The Troubles) and the helo crash.

I didn't try to figure out the Who-done-it; I just enjoyed going along for the ride. It was an amazing puzzle.

I have come to enjoy James Macpherson's narration. Great job! I hate for each book to end.