The Hanging Garden

By: Ian Rankin

Narrated by: Michael Page

Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

Drugs. Extortion. Slavery. Organized crime is fighting for a hold on John Rebus's peaceful Scotland. And when Rebus rescues a young Bosnian girl forced into prostitution, he breaks a policeman's golden rule to never get personally involved in a case. Add to that the hunt for an elderly Nazi accused of slaughtering an entire French village, and Rebus wonders just how evil humans can be - until his own daughter is mortally injured as a gangland warning for him to back off. Then even a dedicated cop like Rebus might make a deal with the devil to find the culprit. Not for justice. For revenge.

©1998 Ian Rankin (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

John Rebus,what can I say?

The writing is good, the narrator's good, Rebus is, well, Rebus--even when he's trying to give up alcohol.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

One Of The Best In The Series

As far as Rebus books go this is my favorite so far besides the great "The Naming of The Dead". There are a few instances where the story gets bogged down with seeming excessive dialog. However the story is intriguing and makes up for the moments that in my opinion could have been much shorter or written differently.

This book has Rebus seeking a path without the booze by his side. I found the clean living struggle interesting based on the characters history. Also a little ironic since he still smokes in this story. Like all media people will have their own opinions. For me I am a sucker for mob/gangs battling for control of a territory. As with most Rebus books there are more than one case being worked on at the same time. In this title you have a man being accused of being a ex-Nazi who fled to the UK and gangland violence with police trying to take down the leaders of each side. Overall the two word to me that describe this book are "Revenge" and "Redemption".

A favorite author

The stories are complex and a great read. dI Rebus is always both interesting and thought provoking. If I go to Edinburgh again I will probably spend a lot of time looking up his favorite haunts

Best yet

These books just keep getting better. This is my favorite to date.

Rankin's style and command of the language are brilliant. The flashbacks were well done. The narration by Michael Page was good.

Exciting and interestingly dark.

I have listen to about 5 or 6 Ian Rankin books. They tend to emotionally hard subjects but very compelling to listen to. The books rivet me to them while listening.
I also love to envision the City of Edinburgh, the Highlands, Inverness at all there peoples, The Scottish accent, it all makes for great sojourn from one present reality.
Excellent stories, you will not be disappointed.

Always delivers

The ongoing development of Rebus as a character is second to none. You feel like your are experiencing every one of his emotions along side him.

Way too Long and Convoluted.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The author attempted too many topics from local gangsters, to ex Nazi criminals to senior citizens importing drugs to east European sex slaves to Japanese Yakusa gangs; too much going on.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Cut it down in subject matter. Rebus has always been enjoyable.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Michael Page?

Most anybody else. The main accent for Rebus was ok, but the narrator trying other characters was grating to the ear.

Was The Hanging Garden worth the listening time?

Just barely.

An average Ranking

The book was entertaining but nothing more. Nothing I will remember and it will not win any litterature prizes.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful