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  • A Song for the Dark Times

  • By: Ian Rankin
  • Narrated by: James Macpherson
  • Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,504 ratings)
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A Song for the Dark Times cover art

A Song for the Dark Times

By: Ian Rankin
Narrated by: James Macpherson
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Summary

From the iconic Number One best seller Ian Rankin, comes one of the must-listen audiobooks of the year: A Song for the Dark Times.

"He's gone..."

When his daughter Samantha calls in the dead of night, John Rebus knows it's not good news. Her husband has been missing for two days.

Rebus fears the worst - and knows from his lifetime in the police that his daughter will be the prime suspect.

He wasn't the best father - the job always came first - but now his daughter needs him more than ever. But is he going as a father or a detective?

As he leaves at dawn to drive to the windswept coast - and a small town with big secrets - he wonders whether this might be the first time in his life where the truth is the one thing he doesn't want to find....

©2020 Ian Rankin (P)2020 Orion Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"Ian Rankin is a genius." (Lee Child)

"A master storyteller." (Guardian)

"Rebus is one of British crime writing's greatest characters: alongside Holmes, Poirot and Morse." (Daily Mail)

What listeners say about A Song for the Dark Times

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Story
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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story

Another great listen really enjoyable keeps you guessing throughout. Really looking forward to the next one.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The old gang back together....

Rebus is retired but not in good health - but you can't keep a good man down.

His daughter with whom he has a rather strained relationship lives in the north of Scotland. When Rebus hears that her partner is missing he goes to help her. Meanwhile in Edinburgh an Arab socialite is murdered and Siobhan and Malcolm Fox are investigating.

When Samantha's partner turns up dead the plot thickens and Rebus begins to believe there are links between the two crimes.

The plot cracks along nicely with Rebus unable to keep his nose out of police business. And Big Ger Rafferty is still around attempting to manipulate the police.

Good writing, good characters and good plotting.... What's not to like?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Much needed return of an old friend.

This year a comfort blanket of a novel is the perfect tonic. Here are all the usual characters living a life before the pandemic, giving a much needed slice of normality.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story - lots of twists and turns

A thoroughly good double who dunnit. Rebus solving crime unofficially now he is retired. Very well read and acted by James McPherson. The only issue with that is that his voice is so dintictive I kept thinking I was In a Taggart story! Great characters. lots of detailed scene setting creates suspense and a roller coaster of emotions. I dont know if the police procedure detail is accurate but it felt so. I do like the details to be accurate.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Rebus Classic

Another great Rebus book and it feels like the series is starting to prepare for the end game. As ever, superbly read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Perfect solace for Dark Times thoughts

As always well plotted, well written, thought provoking and involving all the Rebus novel characters readers have come to know. And a satisfying resolution.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

Great interplay between the two plots and as always between the main characters. Loved it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

it's ok.....but that's about it really.

it's not the best I've read to be honest, it's ok.....but that's as far as it goes.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

another brilliant Rebus story

easy to listen and take in and picture the scene
descriptions brilliant
always picture Ken Stott as Rebus

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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As good as it gets

Superb! a masterly continuation of the Rebus saga loved it! So believable even an old retired copper is convinced

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