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Tooth And Nail (1998)

Tooth and Nail (1998)

Book Info

Author
Rating
3.86 of 5 Votes: 2
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ISBN
0752809407 (ISBN13: 9780752809403)
Language
English
Publisher
orion

About book Tooth And Nail (1998)

From the opening sentence of the novel, we know who the serial killer is. Not the name of the killer, but certain defining characteristics and the exact modis operandi of the crimes are clearly spelled out. And the London police, after 4 killings in as many months, have got it all wrong. But, after reading the descriptions of the specific violence perpetrated against the victims, it is quite easy to see why they are misjudging the situation.However, there is a second mystery involved here, at least to DI John Rebus – why the London police have brought him all the way from Edinburgh to consult on the case. Certainly, he had been instrumental in apprehending a serial killer before but that was 5 years “before,” and that was a situation where the perpetrator was killing in order to taunt Rebus personally. So, Rebus is wary and confused, as surely there are better “experts” in serial killer behavior available to the Metropolitan Police and Scotland Yard than he. But he quickly finds that “profiling” is not yet an accepted police procedure in London in the time frame of this novel (early 1990’s). And Rankin makes it clear though character interaction just how backward he believes the constabulary of that time to be. As in the two previous Rebus novels, Ian Rankin hides the clues in the strangest places. The most innocent physical descriptions coupled with the occasional stray thoughts of the characters, both major and minor, are just as important as the forensics and interrogations. And distinguishing the clues from the red herrings and tracking the subtle twists that turn the detectives’ attention in different directions is a thrilling exercise in logical reasoning. To mistake what seems like, at first, a slow, plodding plot for ineptitude on the author’s part, or an attempt by the author to pad the word count, is exactly what leads to at least one “You’ve got to be kidding me!” moment. Even knowing this about Rankin’s style, knowing that you have to read slowly and between the lines, is not always enough. But what a challenge it is to try and solve a mystery when the plot is realistically convoluted and not an obvious predictability.And by the way, when you get to the car chase (which is alternately hilarious and nail-biting), remember that in Britain the passenger sits on the left side and that a “pavement” in Britain is the same thing as a “sidewalk” in America. With these two ideas in mind, the car chase scene will make a great deal more sense.

I have all the Rebus series and am re-reading them right now. The 3* is part loyalty to the series, part due to the page-turning quality despite the flaws. Casting my mind back, my feeling from having finished the series originally was that it got better as it went along, as Rankin grew in his abilities as a writer. The start of this book is so much more convincing than the preceding two. The first 50 pages are heavy on real stuff, scene-of-crime, pathology, forensics, the sort of attention to detail that Brit viewers fortunate to watch the excellent Silent Witness are now familiar with. But there are huge problems with the credibility of this book. Even if we accept that stories about serial killers are likely to be riddled with childhood abuse cliché, there is a naughty little trick by Rankin to throw the reader which just wasn't playing fair, and I probably can't say any more than that without a spoiler alert kicking in. The genre causes other problems too, the baddie being limited to characters we have been introduced to, many of whom will naturally be connected to the police in some way, so be wary of squeaky-clean fellow police officers, pathologists, judges etc. Moving Rebus to London didn't really work for me. I sensed Rankin didn't like the place when he lived there and it was reflected in this story. The fact that Rebus solves everything while the absolutely hopeless elite officers of the Metropolitan police sit around saying 'That's good, John' is poor. The denouement was just plain terrible and I suspect Rankin would blush at reading it today. He's a good writer. Someone, himself, or more likely an editor, should have said 'Come on, this is hysterical gone mad.' The romantic liaison is unlikely in the extreme. As so often happens in this genre, the alcoholic chain-smoking fat middle-aged copper gets to bed the bit of young totty. It's the sort of fantasy best left to what I might politely term a gentleman's magazine. The worst of it is the connection between Rebus's family and a villain connected to the case. In a city of nearly ten million people, what are the chances of that? Well, actually, I can tell you. It's about one in ten million.

Do You like book Tooth And Nail (1998)?

Detective Inspector Rebus finds himself seconded to Scotland Yard to assist the Metropolitan Police with a serial killer known as Wolfman. Therefore, our grumpy hero finds himself in new turf, in the only Rebus to date which is not set in Edinburgh.In his new surroundings, Rebus is more of an outsider than ever. The change is interesting, and allows his introspective self-absorption to continue to be explored. While London and Glasgow are often compared, Rankin's fondness for Scotland shines through; Rebus mentions more than once buying "messages".The writing is much better, and Rankin is clearly getting into his stride here. It's easy to read and flows well, and there's some belting lines. The finale is a tremendous juxtaposition of comedy and drama that really stands out as one of the series' best scenes so far.Despite these strengths, Tooth and Nail is unfocused. As with previous instalments, Rebus is somehow distracted from both the case and his extra-curricular issues, leading to much of the narrative feeling like it shouldn't be our primary focus. This is a huge issue, and though Tooth is entertaining, it's by no means as absorbing as it could have been.Rankin's key strength remains in his characterisation. Rebus is evolving into a more and more crafted character, and the supporting cast re also very good. Most of them guest starring, George Flight has a brilliantly complex relationship with his new partner, and Lisa Frazer adds a further dynamic.Another very readable volume in the Rebus series that's imperfect, but has some bite!
—Simon Taylor

This is my third try reading this book; I'm glad I finally got far enough along to be sucked in. I don't read many mysteries, but I have read the previous two Inspector Rebus novels. It's amazing how quickly a book like this dates itself -- When this was published in 1992, a car phone probably seemed like pretty snazzy technology. Today, it felt sort of silly to have the characters chatting on car phones with one other.Still, I enjoyed this novel. Rebus is not a lovable character, he isn't particularly great with one-liners, and he often goes off sort of half-cocked. Yet, somehow, I enjoy him. His penchant for book collecting (without particular regard to the specific books) amuses me. His commitment to solving the crime and balancing the forces of good and evil is roughly endearing even as it tears up his own life.The actual mystery here wasn't as compelling as reading about the detective, but isn't that often the case with these sorts of novels? All in all, a good read. I'll read the next in the series at some point.
—Joanna

Ever since I watched a fascinating documentary about Ian Rankin, I’ve been interested in reading one of his books; TOOTH AND NAIL caught my interest. I was immediately taken by the writing style; deceptively simple yet affecting prose, and along with the downtrodden likes-a-drink and a good book, labouring character of John Rebus, I was pulled into the story straight away. Inspector Rebus has been summoned to London, to have a look at a serial-killing case. The killer takes a bite from each victim, and as the first was found on Wolf Street, the murderer is christened Wolfman. Rebus walks into this case, meting his London opposites, judges, coroners, and psychologists, not all of whom take a liking to this dour Scot intruding on their patch. Soon, he is deep in clues, speculation and trouble.Even though this in the third in the evolving Rebus series, I was off and running, great writing, great mystery plot. At around the middle of the book, I had a spasm of delight as I was certain I knew who the Wolfman was, and this looked to be the case, right until the final reveal and satisfying ending.What first pulled me into the novel was this; early on there is a mortuary post-mortem scene, and I thought it was fabulously described; the right atmosphere, the right feelings of the spectators, the right amount of grue. I loved this scene, effortless writing, here is some of my favourite;“As ever, by the end of the autopsy the room had been reduced to silent introspection. Each man and woman present was made of the same stuff as Jean Cooper, and now they stood, momentarily stripped of their individual personalities. They were all bodies, all animals, all collections of viscera. The only difference between them and Jean Cooper was that their hearts still pumped blood. But one day soon enough each heart would stop, and that would be an end to it, save for the possibility of a visit to this butcher’s shop, this abbatoir.”I was very impressed with Rankin’s writing, very easy, very fluid; he gets you involved with Rebus’s thoughts, and gets you thinking about the killer, teasing you with clues and red herrings. TOOTH AND NAIL was an enjoyable, engaging, and compelling detective novel, quick and easy to read, with well-defined characters. I will read more Rankin. 8/10
—Michael

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