The Naming of the Dead

The Naming of the Dead (2006) Ian Rankin

This is the penultimate Rebus novel. I have Exit Music left, and then I’m done.

The G8 has come to Edinburgh, and almost every cop in Britain has descended upon the city, to help provide security for the heads of state that are coming.

Except, of course, for Rebus, who is still on the sidelines, being told, “we understand if you want to coast until retirement.” But outside of work there is nothing for Rebus. He is only himself when he is working, trying to solve a murder case.

Siobhan is preparing for the arrival of her parents, who have decided to join some of the marches.

Everything looks like it’s going to be put on hold, until evidence relating to a recent murder case comes up. The murder of a rapist who served his time. A felon who had become one of Cafferty’s henchmen. Because the rapist was a thoroughly bad man, no one has put much effort into the case. But Rebus–as always–is unable to let anything go. The question quickly becomes, is he going to take Siobhan down with him.

Lots of surprises in this book, and lots of details about the protests and marches and events in Edinburgh surrounding the G8.

And now, I have just one more book left to read.

I don’t know if I want to read it or not. There’s something about having at least one last book out there to read that is so much nicer than the feeling of reading the very last book in a series.
Rating: 8/10

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