“Saints of the Shadow Bible,” by Ian Rankin

FM's ratings:

          1. Premise 8

          2. Prose 9

          3. Plot 9

          4. Characters 10

          5. Overall 9

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One of the most consistent novelists I’ve read, Ian Rankin continues to crank out these “John Rebus” stories, never allowing Rebus to go stale as a character.  I don’t think Michael Caine is Scottish, but I imagine him in this role displaying a seedier version of his normally urbane classiness.  Sean Connery could do it, but one hates to see him stoop that low.  Caine wouldn’t be stooping; he’s done seedy characters – and done them well – many times!  As for Siobhan Clarke: Sigourney Weaver comes close, but no cigar.  Siobhan is not as hard-edged or intense as that, though she is tough in different ways.  The supporting cast, especially Fox, is developed beautifully through the dialog, which is peppered with sly humor, and fascinating colloquialisms. This is Rankin’s real talent, though the plotting is deceptively simple.  Hearing him speak live one time, I remember him saying that he writes from beginning to end and only then goes back through and does the research along with fine adjustments of plot and development.  He said that he doesn’t necessarily recommend this as an effective way to write a novel, but it works for him.  I’ll say it does!