Mortal Causes by Ian Rankin is the sixth Inspector Rebus novel. I was in the mood to read the series, and they have been getting better as they progress, and although this subject wasn't my favourite, it had some great twists and turns.
It begins with the discovery of a body in a shop on Mary King's Close - an entire street now underground after they built the Edinburgh City Council Chambers directly over it. Rebus begins his investigation during the Edinburgh Festival, adding background interest. The body was hung up and beaten, but as in other Rebus novels, this is just the beginning of the mystery, which will lead off into several other stories before wrapping up into a tight finale.
This novel introduces a recurring character in Big Ger Cafferty, the head of the local crime scene (the victim was his son) and Rebus and Cafferty will become respectful adversaries over the series. Aided by his team of Siobhan Clarke and Brian Holmes, Rebus uncovers plots by corrupted Catholic charities to ignite hatred between the Catholics and the Protestants. There is a lot of talk about the IRA, the RUC, the UDA, Red Hand Commandos, Orange Loyal Brigade and loyalist paramilitaries working their way in to undermine the system. There are ties to government agencies funding these groups and no side want to give up power.
It all works up into an explosive finale with festival fireworks, burning buildings, some criminals getting theirs, and some walking scot free. It's very well written, and intense for the most part, just not my favourite subject. I still give it a great rating due to his skill at wandering off on tangents that somehow fit together, for the most part, at the end.
Have to leave a few strings untied for the next novel.
A bit too political for me, but a great read.
1994 / Tradeback / 320 pages
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