Reviewed by Rod McLary
Midnight and Blue is the twenty-fifth book in the series featuring John Rebus – the detective from Police Scotland. Aficionados of the series will know the history of John Rebus from his early days as a detective through to his becoming Inspector Rebus; and his fall from grace when he was convicted of the attempted murder of his nemesis ‘Big Ger’ Cafferty. Now Rebus is in prison waiting on the outcome of his appeal, but his detecting skills have not yet deserted him. Nor – as the reader will soon discover – has the opportunity to exercise those skills.
The book is populated with key characters familiar to all readers of the series – DI Siobhan Clarke, DS Christine Esson, DI Malcolm Fox; and, on the other side of the law, Darryl Christie; also in prison but who, in spite of his location, is moving to fill the gap left by Cafferty’s death. Christie has considerable authority within the prison, and we all know that, when imprisoned, a policeman’s lot is not a happy one, and fortunately, Rebus benefits from Christie’s protection. But there are still some who are only too willing to take a chance and make Rebus pay for their imprisonment. So all the ingredients are present for a tense and thrilling narrative. What more could anyone want.
There are two concurrent storylines – the disappearance without explanation of a fifteen-year-old girl, and the killing of an inmate in the prison where Rebus is located. Jasmine seems not to have told any of her friends where she is and has not used her credit card nor accessed her social media accounts. And the second storyline involves a killing during the night when the victim’s cellmate was in his bunk high on illicit drugs and seemingly unconscious. Everyone is a suspect – inmates and guards alike. Is there a connection between the two incidents? DI Fox, who has left Professional Standards and is now with Organised Crime, believes there is and has wormed his way into both investigations.
With DI Clarke investigating the disappearance of Jasmine and Rebus doing what he can from inside, the scene is set for a prime lesson in investigative rigour and intuition. The connections between the cases and between some of the key players are revealed only towards the end; and some of these connections are surprising to say the least.
The investigative narratives are given an emotional depth by the exposition of the personal dynamics between the protagonists. Rebus now has a granddaughter although he is reluctant to receive a visit from her; however, Rebus’ daughter does visit along with Siobhan Clarke. DI Fox runs up against DI Clarke more than once and is finally sent back to where he should be. And Rebus in a cliffhanger finish receives some news about the outcome of his appeal.
Even after twenty-five novels, Inspector John Rebus and his cohorts have not lost their appeal; and neither has Ian Rankin lost his ability to create crime mysteries which stand on a par with the best of the genre. Midnight and Blue is a great read and is well recommended.
Sir Ian Rankin is the recipient of four Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Awards including the Diamond Dagger in 2005. He has also won the prestigious United States Edgar Award. In 2022, he received a knighthood as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Midnight and Blue
[2024]
by Ian Rankin
Orion Fiction
ISBN 978 1 398 70943 0
$34.99; 329pp