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  • Saints of the Shadow Bible

  • By: Ian Rankin
  • Narrated by: James MacPherson
  • Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,216 ratings)
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Saints of the Shadow Bible

By: Ian Rankin
Narrated by: James MacPherson
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Editor reviews

Saints of the Shadow Bible, written by Sunday Times number one best-selling author Ian Rankin is Book 19 of the infamous crime thriller audiobook series, Inspector Rebus and is narrated by Taggart star James MacPherson. Hear Inspector Rebus at his best. The morals of good and bad will be tested and police credibility questioned as Inspector Rebus must defend the mistakes of his colleagues’ pasts. Find yourself so involved in this plot you will be speculating whether a sinner can ever really become a saint. Available now from Audible.

Summary

Sunday Times number-one best seller Ian Rankin returns with his gripping new Rebus novel. Unabridged edition featuring a bonus interview with Ian Rankin and James MacPherson.

Rebus is back on the force, albeit with a demotion and a chip on his shoulder. A 30-year-old case is being reopened, and Rebus' team from back then is suspected of foul play. With Malcolm Fox as the investigating officer, are the past and present about to collide in a shocking and murderous fashion? And does Rebus have anything to hide?

His colleagues back then called themselves 'the Saints' and swore a bond on something called 'the Shadow Bible'. But times have changed, and the crimes of the past may not stay hidden much longer, especially with a referendum on Scottish independence just around the corner.

Who are the saints and who the sinners? And can the one ever become the other?

Features a bonus interview with Ian Rankin and James MacPherson.

Read by James MacPherson. James MacPherson played DCI Jardine in Taggart for 16 years and has acted on stage in plays as diverse as The Taming of the Shrew and ART by Yasmina Reza. He has presented a regular books programme for Radio Scotland - for which he has interviewed Ian Rankin. He won a Spoken Word Gold Award for his reading of Strip Jack, a Crimefest Audible UK Sounds of Crime Award for Doors Open and has narrated all the Ian Rankin Rebus books. James lives in Glasgow.

©2013 John Rebus Ltd (P)2013 Orion Publishing Group

What listeners say about Saints of the Shadow Bible

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Another great rankin book! Rebus and Fox in one!

Would you listen to Saints of the Shadow Bible again? Why?

No need to listen again but have bought for my father, downloaded onto my husbands iPad and raved about to my sister!!

What did you like best about this story?

Great as rankin always is! Kept me enticed until the end. Good plot didn't stray too much.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

1st Rebus book I've listened to

Where does Saints of the Shadow Bible rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

somewhere in the top 10, I'll be looking for more

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

it kept your attention through to the last

Which character – as performed by James MacPherson – was your favourite?

Rebus

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

New classic Rebus

Malcolm Fox and John Rebus working together, after a fashion. A good mix of old and new policing with the usual Rebus mix of the two. The narration is excellent with a good distinction between Rebus and Fox. However, I would recommend that if you haven't already read both the previous Rebus stories and the Fox ones then it would be worth doing to get the full enjoyment from the book.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Rebus out of retirement works!

I enjoyed this book greatly and Mr Rankin weaved his complaints character Malcolm Fox in very well. It was lovely to hear about all the old characters in their new roles. Is Rebus going to turn into a good boy in his old age? I feel another episode coming on. Download it - you won't regret it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My First Rankin Novel - Not a disppointment

What did you like most about Saints of the Shadow Bible?

It's gritty and believable. The characters are well thought out and there is not even a glimmer of anything twee or trivial

What did you like best about this story?

The Characters

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Would love to listen in one go - I just haven't got enough time!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent, as usual. Hope there is another one!

I really like the fact that Ian Rankin's characters from previous books are working together, as they might well do in real life. The mix of police work, with just enough about the characters' private lives to make them human, is just right. I also like the fact that actual news and events are brought into the story. Not all authors do this, as I suppose it dates the book, but it adds to the reality and interest of the story.

Hope Ian Rankin is working on the next instalment!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Top notch Rebus book.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I like the story and the politics.
Rankin is always bang up to date with the political environment and social scene.
An excellent read.
I have read quite a few of them!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Back to Rankin excellence

I found that the Rebus series was dropping a bit in my estimation, but this book is back on top form. Fox and Rebus both feature strongly in this novel and that worked very well.

The storyline was good and the tension up to standard. There is a new dynamic between Rebus, Fox and Clarke and I found it believable and really well thought out.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

It's great to have Rebus back and to watch Siobhan Clark be the DI he trained her to be! Fabulous.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

rankin has not lost his touch

What did you like most about Saints of the Shadow Bible?

good story, well told, very enjoyable listen, could not guess who was the guilty party until the end

What does James MacPherson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

very good scottish accent, but not too broad

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

if one had the time certainly

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