Rather Be the Devil

By: Ian Rankin

Narrated by: James Macpherson

Rebus investigates a cold case that just turned red hot.

As he settles into an uneasy retirement, Rebus has given up his favorite vices. There's just one habit he can't shake: he can't let go of an unsolved case. It's the only pastime he has left and up until now, it's the only one that wasn't threatening to kill him. But when Rebus starts reexamining the facts behind the long-ago murder of a glamorous woman at a luxurious hotel - on the same night a famous rock star and his entourage where also staying there - the past comes roaring back to life with a vengeance.

And as soon as Rebus starts asking questions about the long forgotten crime, a fresh body materializes. His inquiries reunite him with his old pals-Siobhan Clarke and Malcolm Fox-as they attempt to uncover the financial chicanery behind the savage beating of an upstart gangster, a crime that suggests the notorious old school crime boss Big Ger Cafferty has taken to retirement as poorly as Rebus himself.

As he connects the mysteries of the past to the those of the present, Rebus learns - the hard way - that he's not the only one with an insatiable curiosity about what happened in that hotel room forty years ago, and that someone will stop at nothing to ensure that the crime remains ancient history.

A twisted tale of power, corruption, and bitter rivalries in the dark heart of Edinburgh, Rather Be the Devil showcases Rankin and Rebus at their unstoppable best.

Critic reviews

Praise for RATHER BE THE DEVIL:

"Rankin is an expert at manipulating multiple plots...Along with his plotting prowess, Rankin has cultivated a fluid style that accommodates mordant cop talk, coarse gangster lingo and the occasional honest expression of compassion."
—Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review

"Rather Be the Devil will not disappoint - in the last 30 pages or so, Rankin delivers so many shocking but
satisfying twists I felt I might have whiplash."—Tampa Bay Times

"Excellent."
—The Seattle Review of Books

"[A] finely crafted new entry...[Rankin] is as tireless in delivering the goods as his creation is in solving tough cases."
—Kirkus

"With its trademark blend of sharp wit and even sharper police work, this entry is yet another example of why Rankin remains in the top echelon of Scottish crime writers."
—Publishers Weekly

"One of the best things in crime fiction for years, but Rankin kicks it up several notches here."

—Booklist (Starred Review)

"This may be the author's 21st series outing, but the thrill is still fresh."
—Library Journal

Praise for EVEN DOGS IN THE WILD:

A "twisty, darkly topical, and immaculately executed tale of Edinburgh's underbelly." —The Guardian

"It is sensational...this story truly sings." —Vick Mickunas, Dayton Daily News

"Rankin is a past master of atmospheric, dark crime fiction, and in Even Dogs in the Wild, his 31st book, he's in top form."—Collette Bancroft, Tampa Bay Times

"As always, Rankin delivers some fascinating procedural details, but the heart of the book--and its main appeal to crime-fiction readers--lies in the evolving personal relationships between the three cops and one bad guy. The switching of roles between Rebus and Clark continues to intrigue, but even better is the transformation of Fox from a behind-the-scenes guy...into a real cop working the mean streets." —Booklist

"It's always intriguing to follow Rebus around the city and country he loves, and for those who have followed his long career the pleasures are even richer." —Michele Ross, The Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Rankin's procedurals are strong, well-constructed, page-turning mysteries, and his latest is no exception."
—San Francisco Chronicle

Are drinks really offered at every criminals house?

I love the Rebus books, and this is a decent addition. But thee are some tropes I’ve grown weary of. At least 10 pages of the book must be devoted to people getting drinks and/or biscuits. I know that’s always the case here, but it felt more like he needed to kill pages. I’d also like it if they stopped bringing Ger and Daryl into every case. But maybe it’s the only way to get Rebus involved. Performance was great as always

typically good

love the narrator do with the accent, and the story kept me guessing. a good Ian Rankin.

4 stars

Great narrator. Captivating storyline and in parts quite humorous. I enjoyed this audiobook very much. Couldn't find any holes in the plot, always a good sign.

Top of the line Rebus

This is the only series that I can think of which doesn't just maintain its quality (a rare feat itself), but actually keeps getting better and better.

Great story, great performance

The characters become very real as the story develops, and the performance makes that even better.

The unlikely connections among 3 different investigations make the whole mystery quite fun throughout.

As a longtime John Martyn fan, the songs mentioned in the narration pop into my head, a hallucinatory sound track accompanying the story like cool jazz would in an American noir detective story.