Fleshmarket Alley

Fleshmarket Alley (2004) Ian Rankin

As he slowly approaches retirement, Rebus finds himself pushed more and more to the sidelines. When St Leonard’s closes, Rebus and Siobhan are sent to Gayfield Square, where they didn’t particularly need another Detective Inspector. Siobahn is slightly better off, but her long association with Rebus can’t do her very much good at this point.

So Rebus ends up called out onto the cases no one else particularly wants, and loaned out to other stations as needed.

One such case is the discovery of skeletons in the floor of a local bar. The floor had been cemented up only a year earlier, so it’s not likely these are ancient remains.

A second case of sorts drops into Siobhan’s lap, as parents she dealt with in a rape (and later suicide) case ask for help in finding their younger daughter.

Rebus isn’t self destructing in this book (thank goodness) but he’s also at loose ends. He can’t particularly live without his job, but they’re not giving him much of a job to do.

Rating: 7/10

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