I like Fox a lot

Fox is both a clever detective and sober! Very driven and a well drawn character as are is team members. a worthy successor to Rebus. more please.

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Reliable as ever

Another brilliant read by Ian Rankin, I thought after Rebus was gone that would be it for me and Mr Rankin, but thankfully I was wrong, although no-one will replace Rebus, it's good to see the force from another division.

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Not Rebus but still a good read

This is the second book in which Rankin writes about the Police "Complaints" in Edinburgh - although in this book Fox and his team are constantly driving across the Forth Bridge.
After a CID man has been charged with abusing his position, the Complaints (Professional Standards) are called on to investigate some of his colleagues in Fife. There is the usual hostility shown by the home team to outside investigators, but gradually Fox becomes embroiled in the death of an ex-copper who he realises had been investigating the death of a Scottish Nationalist activist in the 80s when militancy and violence were part of the cause. It is interesting in view of the current political situation. The book moves from past to present with people who have gained in respectability over the years and would rather not be reminded about some of the past events.
The character of Fox is fleshed out from the first book. The relationship with his father and sister. The reasons he has fitted into the Complaints, and his position as regards his team. More yet to come!
Peter Forbes gives an excellent reading.

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The impossible dead

As usual Ian Rankin lives up to all expectetion. Fox is a great pithy character anyone who enjoyed the Rebus novels will enjoy this

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2 people found this helpful

Excellent

I loved The Complaints and this is a worthy successor. An excellent example of Rankin's twisted mind - just when you think you've sussed it he throws another spanner in the works. Peter Forbes is yet again the best person to read this. Each character is clearly defined and he draws you into the story. First Class!

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2 people found this helpful

A down-to-earth thriller and all the better for it

Great story, great reader. Rankin's prose is plain but somehow lyrical. The second book to feature Malcolm Fox of 'The Complaints'. I enjoyed it even more than the first one, if only because the characters are now familiar. (It was hard letting go of Rebus.) Builds on the first story without rehashing the same ground. Can be read as a stand-alone. The action sequences are particularly exciting in a down-to-earth fashion. Foxie is no Jason Bourne, he is a flawed but decent man, an excellent policeman and willing to bend the rules to get to the truth and stop the bad guys. And still find time to visit his ailing father in hospital.

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Inspector Fox Character strengthening

I had never heard of Inspector Malcolm Fox when I read 'Standing in another man's grave' which is essentially a Rebus novel. Malcolm Fox was in this novel as the 'Complaints' investigating Police (essentially Rebus and his colleagues). I saw him as a nasty character, best avoided. He redeemed himself in 'Saints of the Shadow Bible" and even Rebus changed his view on him.
I then read 'The Complaints' which showed Fox as a flawed but decent character with redeeming features in his pursuit of justice and his care for his ageing father and sister.
'The Impossible Dead' takes the story forward with Fox again in the 'Complaints' department of the Police but moving outside it to solve murders both old and new and not caring who he has to take 'to task' in the process.
He is joined by two other 'Complaints' officers both interesting characters, especially Inspector Kay.
Fox continues to care for his ageing father and supports his sister who is (in my opinion) very annoying and has obvious mental health issues which have not been tackled and in fact Fox panders to her instead of confronting her.
The story progresses well and comes to a good end with the crimes solved and the pieces placed in their right order.
My only complaint was that I felt there could have been further explanation as to what happened to the characters involved in the murders after the big 'reveal' but that was not to be I guess.
I felt the narrative was excellent and Peter Forbes really brought the characters to life. Would highly recommend this book.

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Gripping if a little far fetched

This is the first Rankin book I’ve listened to that hasn’t been read by James McPherson, and at first I was a little disappointed. Quickly though I got used to the change and thought the narration was excellent.

The story itself was pretty far fetched - as seems to be the case with Rankin books these days. That said, it was still really enjoyable, with a twist at the end. Well worth a listen.

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Recommeded

Well crafted with lots of twists and turns.. Lightt touches made me smile. Skilfully read.

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Not a Rebus story

I found the book very complicated with many different characters being introduced. I listened until the end which was quite a long time coming. That said, it kept me listening until the end.

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