Fleshmarket Close Ian Rankin Orion £17.99 Rel: Sep 2004 Ayo Onatade

Ian Rankin’s latest book in his stunningly successful series covers a myriad of contentious issues that plagues society today. Not one to beat about the bush, Rankin has his tenacious Inspector Rebus dealing with matters such as illegal immigration, asylum seekers, and racism which are all interwoven with one another to make up a powerful story that deals with common place situations.

In Fleshmarket Close Rebus finds himself investigating the murder of an illegal immigrant, which then leads him to visit an asylum seekers’ detention centre. As matters progress he also finds himself strangely drawn to a woman who is also determined not to let the plight of asylum seekers be ignored. Matters are not made any easier when it is clear that his superiors would rather he retired and he also finds himself once again involved with Edinburgh’s dark underworld. Siobhan also has problems of her own, not only does she and Rebus have to make themselves fit into the new set up where they have been transferred to, but she is reluctantly drawn into a case of a missing teenager via an earlier case. This also involves her coming into contact with a rather nasty rapist and his twisted behaviour.

What Ian Rankin has done with Fleshmarket Close is to ensure that topical issues are not only dealt with in a sensitive but suspenseful manner, but also show those that may have felt that Rebus may have lost some of his kick that they are certainly wrong. As usual the narrative is strong and compelling and his legion of fans will not have any reason to complain about this latest outing. With the flair that we have come to expect from him, we are presented with an impeccably plotted, and an easily convincing read. Rankin demonstrates that his tough and doughty hero is certainly not ready to retire. If, and when he does, in my opinion it will not be without a fight. Once again, we are left in no doubt the reason why Rebus is a celebrity in his own right.