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Rather Be the Devil
- Inspector Rebus 21
- Narrated by: James Macpherson
- Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
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Rather Be the Devil
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Summary
What could be better than settling down to listen to an elegantly crafted, intricate mystery thriller fraught with tension and excitement? Set in Edinburgh, Ian Rankin's best-selling Inspector Rebus series makes its return with a dark installment that revisits the haunting unsolved murder of a young woman.
Some cases never leave you.
For John Rebus, 40 years may have passed, but the death of beautiful, promiscuous Maria Turquand still preys on his mind. She was murdered in her hotel room on the night a famous rock star and his entourage were staying there, and Maria's killer has never been found.
Meanwhile, the dark heart of Edinburgh remains up for grabs. A young pretender, Darryl Christie, may have staked his claim, but a vicious attack leaves him weakened and vulnerable, and an inquiry into a major money laundering scheme threatens his position. Has old-time crime boss Big Ger Cafferty really given up the ghost, or is he biding his time until Edinburgh is once more ripe for the picking?
In a tale of twisted power, deep-rooted corruption and bitter rivalries, Rather Be the Devil showcases Rankin and Rebus at their unstoppable best.
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What listeners say about Rather Be the Devil
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Caroline Owen
- 01-12-20
Not bad
Not quite as good as the early books in the series, less discriptions, rebus is getting physically older and obviously no longer a cop, makes it slightly less joined up. But good read overall
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Norma Miles
- 31-10-20
"You're a lucky man, Rebus."
Some 40 years ago a beautiful young woman was found murdered I the Caledonian Hotel, Rebus recalled as he took Deborah Quant,the police pathologist and his lady friend there for dinner. He remembered it well: a young policeman then, he'd been pulled off the case to his dismay and it had never been solved. Retired now, and with health concerns he was trying to hide, he gets his younger former associate, DI Siobhon Clark to pull files for him as he noses his way through the underworld of Edinburgh crime. And, after another retired cop is killed, and a local thug is beaten up, Fox also returns, completing the investigative trio.
The combination of atmospheric location and realistically portrayed, very human characters has always made Rankin's Rebus books so engrossing. Throw in solid crime stories, too, and every book from the series becomes unmissable. Whilst all of the books are essentially stand alone, this title is definitely improved by having previous acquaintance with the characters, especially given the large number of names drawn into the crime cross currents. But as the book progresses, a solid picture web emerges of the Edinburgh mostly unseen by the tourists. Brilliant.
Rather be the Devil is narrated by James Macpherson, whose use of numerlus, individualized Scottish accents for most of the protagonists not only helped identify each one but added to their personalities. His reading is excellent, emotionally involved with the story, different nuances and good modulation building a solid sound tapestry. A fine performance.
Rebus is older now but still the detective even without his warrant card.
Recommended to all crime solving and police procedural fans, especially those who enjoy the atmosphere of place and realistic inhabitants.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Joseph W.
- 03-02-17
Another gripping Rebus story
A well written and well read story. Very enjoyable but I must try Val Mcdermitt
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Caroline Lawless
- 28-01-17
Gripping right to the end.
Really good stories all intermingled. Characters are believable and the old favorites are true to form.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Donald
- 28-03-17
Great story
Rebus is far from retired. Slowly evolving investigation set in Edinburgh. Gripping story. Great read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Christine Wallace
- 07-06-22
Sorry to point out an error
I absolutely love all the Rebus novels but this one has made one error that I can’t ignore because I’m an anorak when it comes to detail. The novelist Maxine Dromgoole has asked Rebus to get her a meeting with Big Ger Cafferty s she wants to write a book about him. Big Ger is very flattered to think anyone wouldn’t e want to read about him but - in the novel The Naming of the Dead the journalist Marie Henderson co-writes a book all about Big Ger and he is the co-writer!! Other than that the Book was brilliant and once again narrated superbly by James McPherson. I cannot wait to read the two new Rebus novels promised for later this year.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Helen
- 13-11-16
Love Rebus and Ian Rankin
Would you listen to Rather Be the Devil again? Why?
No. I really enjoyed the story, but it is not something you would read again.
What did you like best about this story?
Wonderful characters, compelling storytelling.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mike
- 04-04-21
Showing its age, a bit of an imagination stretcher
I now know why crime rates are so high. In the past they needed Sherlock Holmes to show the experts how it should be done. Now its Rebus saving the day. I like early Rebus but the improbable story lines are showing their age. DCI Clarke comes over as a petulant child trying to endear herself by doing the bidding of Rebus....and I'm finding James McPhersons take on female voices very annoying.... all in all not one of the best...
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- hugnyksj
- 02-12-18
Brilliant story, as usual.
Brilliant story, as usual. A wee bit difficult to differentiate the voices at times, though...
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cornish Lass
- 23-11-16
Rebus brings about change in the future and the past
Excellent performance and story, twisting you one way then another as the two crimes cross each other's paths. Fox develops as Siobhan becomes the true detective I feel she has always been. Rebus is developing a great role of a supporter of Police Scotland from the outside, solving crimes new and old. He also shows more emotional range towards Brillo than to many in his past.
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