Dead Souls – Ian Rankin

I think that may have been my second reading of Ian Rankin's
Dead Souls, but when I found a copy on the book sharing book shelf at work and read the cover I have to admit that I wasn't sure if I'd read it before or not. Even if I did it shouldn't distract from what is a fantastic book.

I went through a bit of a Rankin and Rebus phase a few years back when I read every book that had been published at the time. It's been a while though since I picked up any of Ian Rankin's books and I'm so glad that I did as reading Dead Souls reminded me why I enjoy crime fiction so much.

It's hard to give a synopsis of this book without giving away some of the plot. Rebus returns in this book and is caught up in the aftermath when a murderer returns to Edinburgh after finishing his sentence in an American prison. At the same time a second thread of the story emerges around a freed paedophile that Rebus catches taking photographs of children at Edinburgh Zoo.

The book is fantastically written and Rebus' character is one that instantly draws you in. You may not always agree with what he thinks and does, but it's hard not to understand why he does what he does.

Coming back to crime fiction having not read any for a while is like meeting up with an old friend. I'm now looking forward to going back to my bookcase and revisiting some more old favourites.