First Sentence: The girl screamed once, only the once, but it was enough.

DI John Rebus is one week from retirement. What begins as the murder of a Russian poet becomes much more complex. Does it involve the Russians meeting with Edinburgh real estate agents and bankers? How does it link with a second murder? What is the connection to Rebus' nemeses Ger Cafferty?

When Rebus gets suspended, it's up to DS Siobhan Clark to work on the inside while Rebus keeps investigating from the outside.

I put off reading this book because I was concerned as to how Rankin would close out Rebus' career. I need not have worried.

This is quintessential Rebus who has given up almost everything in his life for his job. The case seemed to start off as a simple killing, but layers build upon layers and twists upon turns.

Rankin has done such a fine job creating Rebus, he is very real. I don't always like him, but you know that is intentional.

Rankin hasn't glamorized Edinburgh, as many authors do, but presents it as a city of people and problems as is any city, and he makes that city alive to us.

For me, the ending was perfect and just the right touch. I'm anxious to see what Rankin does next, but I do sincerely hope Rebus reappears from time-to-time. Bravo, Mr. Rankin.

伊恩·兰金,英国著名推理小说、犯罪小说作家。1960年生于苏格兰,毕业于爱丁堡大学。他曾经做过葡萄采摘员、养猪人、收税员、酒精研究员、音响记者和朋克音乐家。

目前,他是英国国内首屈一指的犯罪小说作家,他的小说曾多次获得文学奖项。迄今为止,他的17本系列作品被翻译成31国文字出版,兰金也早已成为英国当代最重要的作家之一。

1997年,《黑与蓝》荣获英国犯罪小说作家协会金匕首奖,同时获得美国推理小说作家协会爱伦坡奖提名；1999年,《死灵魂》再获金匕首奖提名；2004年,《掘墓盗尸人》夺得爱伦坡奖最佳小说奖；2005、2006年连续两年赢得英国国家图书奖年度犯罪惊悚小说奖。

2002年,兰金因其文学贡献获得大英帝国勋章；2005年获得英国犯罪小说作家协会颁予代表终身成就的钻石匕首奖,成为史上最年轻的钻石匕首奖得主；同年,兰金再获法国推理小说大奖、德国犯罪电影奖与苏格兰杰出人物奖,并于1999至2005年间获得四所大学的荣誉博士学位。

兰金目前与妻子跟两个儿子住在爱丁堡,与著名作家J. K.罗琳比邻而居。在完成“哈利·波特”系列之后,J.K.罗琳开始创作侦探小说,而兰金为她的创作提供了诸多帮助,被罗琳称作侦探小说创作上的领路人。