Strip Jack by Ian Rankin
I’m still working my way through Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus novels and they just seem to be getting better and better. Why have I never read any of these before?
Strip Jack is the fourth in the series. When the police receive a tip-off about a brothel operating on the ‘right side of town’ in Edinburgh, they find the local MP, Gregor Jack, inside.
When the media camp outside Jack’s home, hoping for political blood, Inspector Rebus tries to get to the bottom of what has really happened. Was it a simple error on Jack’s part, or had he been set up? And, if so, by whom?
His tightly-knit group of friends close ranks to protect him, but it’s not long before Rebus sees the skeletons in the cupboard. And where is Jack’s wife, why didn’t she disown him or support him? And what have some stolen books got to do with everything?
While his superiors are distracted by a local vagrant, who they believe they can pin everything on, Rebus digs a little deeper.
Like all Rebus novels, this moves quickly and has plenty of twists and turns along the way. Rebus has yet another lady friend too – will this one actually last into the fifth novel? No doubt I’ll find out soon enough.
If you want a crime novel that’s entertaining and quick and easy to read, I would definitely recommend Strip Jack.
You can read also my reviews of the previous Rebus novels – Knots and Crosses, Hide and Seek and Tooth and Nail.
I’ve actually never read a crime novel, I think my previous job probably put me off! I do like reading your reviews, they give me a real taste of whether I’ll like a book or not. This sounds like a good read but I’m not sure it’s going to convince me to read a crime novel.
Nat.x
Thanks very much 🙂 I never used to read crime novels. I started reading Patricia Cornwell a fair few years ago, but it wasn’t until I read the Millennium Trilogy that I really got into crime novels. I don’t read a lot else now, really! x
I always think my brother would love these when I see Ian Rankin. I’m not that into crime novels but I do like a quick and easy twist and turn kind of book so might have to try one out!
You’d probably enjoy them! They’re pretty quick reads, not too heavy and plenty of action to keep you interested!
I love a good crime novel and this one sounds fast paced which is even better! Thanks for sharing with #ReadWithMe
Fast paced novels are always good! I really enjoyed this one.
I’ve started reading crime fiction again, Tess Gerritson and Val McDermid but haven’t read any of the Inspector Rebus novels yet. Your reviews are tempting me…!
#readwithme
They’re definitely worth a try! I haven’t read either of the authors you mention, so I will have to go them a go, thanks.
Hm, this one sounds like a good read. I don’t read so many crime novels anymore, but after your review, I think I have to read this one. 🙂 xx #readwithme
It’s definitely worth a read! I mainly read crime novels these days, there’s so many good ones to choose from!
This sounds great! I like the fact it’s a quick read. I do love a good crime story! Thanks for sharing #ReadWithMe
I love crime stories too. It’s mainly what I read these days!
I haven’t read a crime novel for ages but your reviews are making them sound really appealing!
#readwithme
I would definitely recommend them! I mainly read crime novels these days.
This sounds right up my street 🙂 My reading pile is rather large at the moment but hopefully that will soon change and I can add a few of these to it! #readwithme
A large reading pile is always good! Hopefully you will enjoy these novels.
Great review. You sold me the story. I like trying to figure out whodunnit in crime novels. Will be adding to my TBR list.
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It’s great trying to work them out, isn’t it? Although I always feel slightly cheated if I do work it out because it means the novel wasn’t complex enough!