Let It Bleed is the seventh Inspector Rebus novel from Ian Rankin, once again utilizing his love of rock music for the title (it's an album by The Rolling Stones). Throughout the novels, he often mentions songs, artists or albums that Rebus is listening to, or is reminded of. A nice touch.
For me, this was the best Rebus novel so far.
Concentrating on character, it felt quite intimate while the investigation proceeded. It begins with a dramatic, high speed chase over wintery roads towards the cantilevered bridge over the Firth of Forth. There is a terrific car crash and the two surviving occupants then jump off the bridge to certain death. When Rebus opens the boot to release the kidnapped girl held hostage, they find it empty. The victim is the daughter of the Lord Provost who discloses no reason why she would be kidnapped, especially not her drug addiction.
Across town, a man has walked into a local council members open house and shot himself. Another of several odd events that slowly gel together as the mystery widens.
This novel also has a lot to do with the social services of Edinburgh, how the clients are treated and housed, who is stuck in the system and who is profiting from it. Sammy, Rebus' daughter is now grown up and doing social work for local agencies. Again it's about the class system in Edinburgh with the wealthy thinking they are above the law. Rebus is courted by some higher ups who want him to head a very well paid task force - can Rebus be bought? Rankin once again enjoys ripping the lid off the upper class, who think they are better than in most respects, and indeed appear to be. This is a system where you become virtually untouchable when you reach a certain tier, such as Lord, and you can run your own show.
The whole novel has a heavy, snowed in feel - that, or stark ice that chills your fingers. The wintery theme suits the theme of the novel well. Rankin is very good at bringing all the stories to a satisfying close. When the cases intertwine and resolve at the end, can Rebus let someone who has all but admitted his guilt walk off unpunished? Looks that way...
But it's not over until the very. last. page.
Odd note: the novel was left satisfyingly ambiguous with several loose ends straggling. Perfect. However, the US publisher had sufficient reservations that Rankin was persuaded to add another chapter to explain it all! Happily, this was dropped in further editions. Let it be.
Exceptional writing, great characters and well plotted with social relevance.
Very enjoyable. My favourite so far.
1995 / Tradeback / 360 pages
Comments