BOOK BRIEF

Black and Blue (Inspector Rebus, #8)

Ian Rankin
Guide cover placeholder

Black and Blue (Inspector Rebus, #8)

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999

Book Brief

Sparkles iconBeta
Ian Rankin

Black and Blue (Inspector Rebus, #8)

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Scotland • 1990s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Black and Blue by Ian Rankin follows Detective Inspector John Rebus as he investigates a series of murders linked to the historical figure Johnny Bible. The novel intertwines the cases with Rebus's personal struggles and themes of corruption in the police force, set against a backdrop of Scotland's oil industry.

Reviews & Readership

4.2

23,469 ratings

81%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Black and Blue by Ian Rankin captivates with intricate plotting and deep character development. Critics praise its gritty realism and the complex portrayal of Inspector Rebus. The book's length and slower pacing, however, may deter some readers. Overall, it's a compelling read for fans of crime fiction.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Black and Blue (Inspector Rebus, #8)?

A reader who enjoys gritty, atmospheric crime fiction with complex characters and a strong sense of place will relish Black and Blue by Ian Rankin. Fans of Michael Connelly’s The Black Echo or James Ellroy’s L.A. Confidential will appreciate Rankin’s meticulous plotting and deep dive into the dark underbelly of Edinburgh.

4.2

23,469 ratings

81%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

352

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Scotland • 1990s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!