detective fiction doesn't get much better

- either does light fiction. Rebus is at this point in the series a complicated, fascinating character. Dark, but not depressing, his humanity shines though his gruffness. The supporting cast features many regulars from the series and Siobhan comes into her own in this novel. Rebus peeks into his army days - not glimpsed, I think, since Knots and Crosses.

This listen is best appreciated after at least several of the earlier Rebus novels. The only downside is that there aren't many left to go in the series... I had avoided Rankin because I'd been told that his novels are dark -- but they are not depressing and are rather life affirming overall. Rankin combines the best in modern police procedurals with the best elements of Golden Age detection and elements of a good, traditional Brit/Scot cozy with setting and character detail. Good dialogue too.

Like other later novels in this series, Rankin tackles a social issue along the way. That doesn't get in the way for me, but adds to the listen.

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