Rather Be the Devil: 21 (Rebus Novel) - Softcover

Praise for RATHER BE THE DEVIL:
A "twisty, darkly topical, and immaculately executed tale of Edinburgh's underbelly."--The Guardian

"As always, Rankin delivers some fascinating procedural details, but the heart of the book--and its main appeal to crime-fiction readers--lies in the evolving personal relationships between the three cops and one bad guy. The switching of roles between Rebus and Clark continues to intrigue, but even better is the transformation of Fox from a behind-the-scenes guy...into a real cop working the mean streets."--Booklist

"Rankin is an expert at manipulating multiple plots...Along with his plotting prowess, Rankin has cultivated a fluid style that accommodates mordant cop talk, coarse gangster lingo and the occasional honest expression of compassion."
--Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review

"Rather Be the Devil will not disappoint - in the last 30 pages or so, Rankin delivers so many shocking but
satisfying twists I felt I might have whiplash."--Tampa Bay Times


"[A] finely crafted new entry...[Rankin] is as tireless in delivering the goods as his creation is in solving tough cases."
--Kirkus

"One of the best things in crime fiction for years, but Rankin kicks it up several notches here."

--Booklist (Starred Review)


"This may be the author's 21st series outing, but the thrill is still fresh."
--Library Journal


"It is sensational...this story truly sings."--Vick Mickunas, Dayton Daily News

"Rankin is a past master of atmospheric, dark crime fiction, and in Even Dogs in the Wild, his 31st book, he's in top form."--Collette Bancroft, Tampa Bay Times

Rebus investigates a cold case that just turned red hot.

As he settles into an uneasy retirement, Rebus has given up his favorite vices. There's just one habit he can't shake: he can't let go of an unsolved case. It's the only pastime he has left, and up until now, it's the only one that wasn't threatening to kill him. But when Rebus starts reexamining the facts behind the long-ago murder of a glamorous woman at a luxurious hotel, the past comes roaring back to life with a vengeance. And as soon as Rebus starts asking questions about the long-forgotten crime, a fresh body materializes. As he connects the mysteries of the past to those of the present, Rebus learns that he's not the only one with an insatiable curiosity about what happened in that hotel room forty years ago, and that someone will stop at nothing to ensure that the crime remains ancient history.