In a House of Lies

By: Ian Rankin

Narrated by: James Macpherson

A cold case involving a missing private investigator threatens to unearth skeletons from Rebus's past in this "must-read" mystery (Tana French).

Former Detective John Rebus' retirement is disrupted once again when skeletal remains are identified as a private investigator who went missing over a decade earlier. The remains, found in a rusted car in the East Lothian woods, not far from Edinburgh, quickly turn into a cold case murder investigation. Rebus' old friend, Siobhan Clarke is assigned to the case, but neither of them could have predicted what buried secrets the investigation will uncover.

Rebus remembers the original case -- a shady land deal -- all too well. After the investigation stalled, the family of the missing man complained that there was a police cover-up. As Clarke and her team investigate the cold case murder, she soon learns a different side of her mentor, a side he would prefer to keep in the past.

A gripping story of corruption and consequences, this new novel demonstrates that Rankin and Rebus are still at the top of their game.

Critic reviews

"There's no one like Ian Rankin for bringing us right into the world of detectives. For anyone who's fascinated by the inner workings of that world, and all its tricky, brutal, expert ruthlessness, In A House of Lies is a must-read."—Tana French

"Loved In A House Of Lies. How does Rebus keep on getting better and better? Ian Rankin is a genius."—Lee Child

"Rankin remains the most consistent practitioner of finely crafted, richly detailed, literary crime novels being produced today. He's always been at the top of his game, and this latest is no exception."—Linwood Barclay

"In A House of Lies shows how investigations of historic crimes are currently shaping our world and who the casualties are. Thrillingly told, with the best cast in contemporary crime, Rankin is one of the most significant social commentators of our time. Just read the book. It says it better than I can."—Denise Mina

"Definitely not to be missed. Ian's at the top of his form here, and no reader will go away disappointed."—Peter Robinson

"In A House of Lies is Ian Rankin's Latest and Greatest. It is stunning. I didn't sleep for three nights reading it."—Jilly Cooper

"This is absolutely wonderful. Clever, gripping, a fabulous read."—Kate Mosse

Interesting Story Line

The story line was excellent, but I had a hard time following it because of the reader's thick Scots accent. I'm considering reading another of Ian Rankin's Rebus books instead of listening to it to see whether I like it.

Can't Stop Listening Noir-ish Rankin At His Best

We find out in this dark, humorous tangle of puzzles that Rebus may have retired from Scotland Police, but he hasn't quit the beat. Nor have his powers and toughness deserted him. Ian Rankin gives us intertwined story lines, driven by long stewing personal grudges, epic professional rivalries, and of-the-moment social pressures.Favorite characters from the series (both the good and the up to no good) play pivotal roles as justice is served...or is it? Rankin lets each reader/listener make that judgment. The narrator is superb. He does an astonishing job of conjuring up the ages, regional accents, socio-economic status, and genders of the characters.

Complicated

Not the best Rebus novel ever, but very good. It involves two old cases, with the crimes all in the past. That makes for a somewhat less exciting story than we are used to from Rankin. Still, it’s very enjoyable and I never want to see the series end!

I'M A SCOT, JIM, NOT A NARRATOR

The reader is either too authentic ir not authenticated c enough, depending on whether you are a Scot.My great grandfather was, so I can understand 80% or so For an audio book to be a success, the reader needs notI'M A SCOT, NOT to have to struggle to understand the words that were written We all lnew Scotty on Sttar Trek was a Scot We still coukd understand what he said

Excellent tale and performance

Rankin peoples a criminal investigation and all its politicking with complex characters, nuanced views on justice and society, and vivid portrayals of the landscape in and around Edinburgh. James Macpherson of Taggart fame gives a dramatic reading with an accent strong enough that I sometimes had to listen a few extra times to make out the words.