This books feels like a culmination of everything that came before. New readers should beware when starting this book. But for those of us in the long haul, it feels so so good. Finally facing time for the end of the previous book, Rebus finds himself in a unique situation here. Still investigating, but in a very different way. This felt like such a breath of fresh air, and I was totally into it. All the pieces we know and love from a Rebus novel are here, but in different places on the board. It makes everything feel fresh -- even from such a long-running series. I still fear a little bit that Rebus is going to ride off into the sunset at some point (he is an old man), but since Rankin is younger than his counterpart, I hope there's still more stories to come. A visit to Rebus's Scotland is time well spent and I'm not ready to give up the journey.

I enjoyed this one, but think it would be better if I'd read at least a few of the previous books in the series. I had to just guess at the past relationships between the main characters and why they interacted as they did. It was a bit slow paced at times but worth the read. I'm sure those who follow the Rebus series will love this one.

I really liked this book. I loved the first Malcolm Fox book, so I was pleased to see that Fox shows up again in this one. I am not super familiar with the Rebus series, though I own a lot of them I've been meaning to get to. I liked that I did nor feel lost diving into this book without having read the previous 24 books in the Rebus series. Reading the first Malcolm Fox book was helpful for figuring out who committed the various crimes in this book, but I think this would be a fun enough story on its own/ It might have been nice to get a few hints or glimmers of the nature of Fox's role, for folks who missed the first book, but for me it worked as is.

This is Rebus #25 and it shows it's age. Rebus is in prison for life, which seems odd but I don't think I read the book where he is convicted and sentenced so I don't know the rationale behind the harshness. It's my understanding from friends that even murderers get out after a while.

Anyway, it's hard to write any excitement into prison life because prison is the opposite of exciting. Except when there are active crimes going on - like druggings and murder - so Ian Rankin moves Rebus into the general population at his prison with the promise to the prison head, that the biggest gangster in that cell block will keep Rebus safe. Well yes sort of.

Outside Rebus's crew carries on with investigating a couple of murders and missing persons but it's al very lackluster. I was not impressed by this book.

Became convoluted at times with the different prisoners and outside gangsters lobbying for drug control on the streets of Glasgow. Liked the two female detectives and their ability to maneuver the male echelon in the policing world. The descriptions of the prison world was probably spot on from what I know as a lay person . Decent read but not a wow.

I have been an Ian Rankin/Det. John Rebus fan for many years. Midnight and Blue is book 25 in the series, and I have read every one of the books. These are great novels and should be read in order, since Rebus and Siobhan change over the course of the series. That said, readers can pick up Midnight and Blue and read it as a stand alone, although some of the undercurrents will be lost. Rankin is an author guaranteed to hold the reader's attention.

Midnight and Blue brings together the old gang--Rebus, Siobhan, Fox and some less familiar characters. There are two plot lines. In one multilayered plot, a 14 year old girl is missing. Perhaps she is a runaway or perhaps she has been taken by someone. This is a plot with some fascinating layers and crimes that are not fully revealed until the end. In the other plot, Rebus has been in jail for 6 months. When an inmate is murdered, Rebus' old detective skills are awakened. Rebus might be in prison and he might be an aging detective, but his mind is as sharp and agile as ever. The cases are solved with some twists and turns that will hold the readers attention.

Thank you to Mulholland Books and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I have purchased every single Rebus novel, and as is the same with all those books, I do recommend this new John Rebus novel. Be prepared to be stay up and read, whether it takes all night.

Ian Rankin's John Rebus is back again -- a little thinner, a little greyer -- but still the same Rebus we know and love. He continues to stick his nose into crime, even when behind bars. Readers who love Rebus won't be disappointed by this latest installment in the series. A fantastic story, woven into other stories with returning favorites Siobhan Clarke and Malcom Fox. Definitely a must-read for Rebus fans.

A good continuation of the series. The characters are not what I expected. Main character is true to form though. Ends with an opening for the next book

Scotland, prison, procedural, murders, missing-persons, friction, friends, frustration, law-enforcement, crime-thriller, suspense, unputdownable, gangsters*****

The idea of a Law Enforcement Officer locked up in a jail or prison anywhere in the world is horrifying. I haven't read others in series, but I have worked jails alongside sworn staff, so I got the law enforcement part easily and did get drawn in by the backstory of interpersonal intricacies.
A felon is stabbed in prison in what appears to be a locked room (cell), a teenage girl vanishes, and Rebus is on the inside. The core of the story is tightly wound and spooled out slowly. Fantastic!
I requested and received a free temporary digital galley edition from Mulholland Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#MidnightandBlue by Ian Rankin @Beathhigh #InspectorRebusBk25 @mulhollandbooks #NetGalley
@littlebrown #Scotland

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Ian Moore’s Dead Behind the Eyes is a captivating addition to the Juge Lombard Mystery series, blending intricate plotting with rich character development. Set in the picturesque yet shadowy city of Tours, France, this novel delves into the complexities of eco-terrorism, biomedical research, and the hidden facets of French aristocracy.

The story begins with the gruesome discovery of a decapitated body on the banks of the River Loire. The victim, a lonely and unclaimed man, becomes the focal point of an investigation led by the reluctant yet determined Juge Lombard. As Lombard digs deeper, he is drawn into a web of conspiracy that not only threatens his career but also his personal life.

Moore’s portrayal of Juge Lombard is both nuanced and compelling. Lombard, a character with a foot in both English and French cultures, navigates the bureaucratic intricacies of the French legal system with a blend of skepticism and dedication. His relationship with his young niece, who unexpectedly appears in his life, adds a touching and humanizing element to the narrative.

The novel’s strength lies in its ability to weave together multiple threads of intrigue. From the murky world of eco-terrorism to the ethical dilemmas of biomedical research, Moore keeps the reader guessing with each twist and turn. This story is meticulously crafted, ensuring that every revelation feels surprising and inevitable.

Moore’s writing is evocative, capturing the essence of the Loire Valley with its historical charm and underlying menace. The setting serves as almost a character in its own right, influencing the mood and direction of the story.

The supporting cast is equally well-developed, with characters that are memorable and integral to the plot. From the enigmatic eco-terrorists to the morally ambiguous scientists, each character adds depth and complexity to the narrative.

Dead Behind the Eyes is a masterfully written thriller that will appeal to fans of classic and contemporary crime fiction. Ian Moore has crafted a story as thought-provoking as it is entertaining, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-plotted mystery with rich character development.

This novel cements Moore’s place in the crime fiction genre and also leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Juge Lombard series.

A quick read and an excellent story. Murder in a prison probably isn’t a great idea when there is a resident detective on site. But the detective happened to be a prisoner who has enemies on all sides: cops, prison guards, and inmates. Staying alive and solving the case both provide some precarious circumstances.

Absolutely one of the best Rebus novels to date. Following Rebus’s arrest and being sent to prison, he works from within to solve a murder. As always, Rankin’s book is a treat from start to finish. The relationships between Rebus and Siobhan and Rebus and Malcolm are fleshed out well and draw the reader in. I didn’t want this book to end!

This book just wasn’t for me. And I definitely feel like it’s an issue on my end. While I knew that this was part of a series of Insoector Rebus books I didn’t know it was like 25 books in. I also felt the way the story was told didn’t give any wiggle room for new readers. In addition to having the digital galley, I also waited for the audiobook so that I could really immerse myself in the story. Unfortunately, I’m used to listening to audiobooks at three times speed and while I appreciated the authenticity of the narration, I also felt like I had to slow this audiobook down substantially, just to make sure I was fully capturing what was said to the point where I just got rid of the above altogether because I found it more distracting than helpful. I am notoriously a tandem reader so I’m used to having the audiobook in the book at the same time, but in this case, listening to the audiobook is slower further made the story feel like it was moving a slow pace as well. I’m sure this book will be enjoyable for fans of this character, but I got about halfway through and just felt really disinterested. I think the summary really hooked me and I felt like this book would be a lot faster and pace, and have a little bit more of a thrilling aspect to it being that the main character is currently trying to survive and also help on the case, but I never really felt a true sense of urgency and again not having read a lot of previous works from this collection I felt like I was missing Aspects of the characters that I’m sure with it may the more enjoyable and/or memorable. In the past, I have read mystery romances, and even science fiction books that have a mini in the collection and I’ve accidentally stumble across the six or seven book in and still felt like I was learning about the characters, developing with the characters and watching their growth and was easily able to fall along with the story which encouraged me to go back and read the ones I felt before it. This one I just didn’t feel any connection to the characters and I felt like you already had to have an understanding of who they were before coming into the story. I’m sure others will enjoy this, but it just wasn’t for me.

I plan to go back and start this series from the beginning. Hopefully I’ll become a fan enough to revisit this book.

Kudos to Ian Rankin. I confess to feeling sad and a little worried when he wrote the retirement of John Rebus into the Rebus series. My worries were unfounded. The plot in Midnight and Blue confirms that a retired Rebus can still grab my attention and surprise me.

Much of Midnight and Blue is set in a prison. Rebus has been charged with the attempted murder of his frenemy, Big Ger Cafferty. Rankin does a great job conveying the claustrophobic feel of prison life along with the social dynamics. The rumour mill is active within the prison.

When the book opens, Rebus is living amongst the general population with Darryl Christie as his protector. The prison routine is shattered when a prisoner, Jackie is found brutally murdered in his bed. His roommate, Mark is wasted on drugs and has a head injury.

The two men were in a locked cell which suggests that Jackie may have been killed by a guard. The gossip and tension in the prison accelerates. Rebus recognizes one of the cops brought in to investigate. Christine Esson is a former protégé of Rebus's friend, DI Siobhan Clarke.

Rebus gets suspicious when he also spots Malcolm Fox from Organized Crime meeting with the governor. He is definitely out of his comfort zone. Why would Fox be looking into a prison fatality? When the governor asks Rebus to be his eyes and ears in the prison, he enjoys the role.

Rankin does a brilliant job in plotting how different cases under investigation by Clarke, Esson and Fox are somehow connected. Rebus uses the governor’s request as permission to conduct his own informal investigation within the prison. You will not want to put this book down.

WOW!
At first I didn't think I would want to read about Rebus in jail. Too sad, maybe too gloomy. But wow, this book just took off and straightaway I was involved in political push and pulls and how Rebus needed to survive every day in jail. The actual murder - a locked room murder! is second to the goings on between the police and the incarcerees.

I missed Rebus, so glad he is back and sharper than ever! #mulhollandbooks #midnightandblue #ianrankin

John Rebus is one of the great names in detective fiction, and this latest is terrific. A thrill ride as always, and clever as a whip, but I must admit that I’d like to see Rebus out of prison and roaming the streets of Edinburgh again!

As a DI, John Rebus sent many men to prison, and while he often skirted proper procedure, I doubt any of his fans expected to find him an inmate, serving alongside gangster Darryl Christie. Midnight and Blue finds Rebus not only in the same prison hall but also under Christie's protection, as a thank you for purportedly getting rid of Big Ger Cafferty. Rebus is appealing his conviction, but in the meantime he finds himself in the midst of a murder investigation when one of neighbors if found dead in his cell, the roommate drugged with a head injury, the CCTV camera covering that hallway out of order. Rebus can't keep himself from trying to figure out what happened, while his former colleague Christine Esson works the official case. All of the characters you expect in a Rebus story show up, including DS Siobhan Clarke who is working the case of a missing teenager, and Inspector Malcolm Fox, weaseling his way into the case for his own purposes. This is an excellent mystery, as one has come to expect of Ian Rankin, with twists and surprises that kept me engaged from start to finish. I recommend this book whether you are a long-time fan (this is book #25 in the series, after all) or just enjoy a good story with compelling characters and a difficult-to-predict mystery.

A prison killing proves hard to solve….even for former DI Rebus

When a prisoner is found dead in his cell at HMP Edinburgh, all signs seem to point to the perpetrator having been one of the officers on staff rather than a fellow inmate. But with the dead man’s cellmate too zoned out on drugs to provide any relevant details, the relevant CCTV broken and awaiting repairs, and no sign of a murder weapon, the police investigators don’t have much to go on. In a place full of murderers and other violent criminals, an incident like this just ratchets up the existing tensions. There is one prisoner who is different in many ways from the rest, and that is former DI John Rebus. Convicted of murdering a crime boss when an attempt to threaten the man brought on a heart attack, Rebus remains hopeful that his appeal will go through but until then he is just another prison inmate trying to survive in an environment not known for being kind to former cops. Rebus rubbed many in his profession the wrong way when he was on the force; he never had much respect for those in authority and was more than willing to bend rules if they stood in the way of justice, but for all that he was a great cop and one well suited for the gritty underbelly of Edinburgh. With no official resources behind him now and with at least one fellow inmate eager to take him out should current alliances inside fall apart, it would probably be wiser for Rebus to sit this one out…but that’s not in his DNA. And even as the police, including some familiar to Rebus, try to nail down what happened inside the prison there is plenty of crime outside it as well that needs tending. A teenaged girl gone missing, an online porn operation, and a new criminal gang possibly making moves to take over control of the Edinburgh territory while the leader of the gang currently in power sits in prison are stretching the thin police resources to the breaking point. Inside of prison or outside it, it is never entirely clear whose actions are motivated by self-interest or greed and who can be trusted….and sometimes choosing poorly is the last mistake you’ll make.
In this, the 25th novel in the John Rebus series, the circumstances of the criminal investigation may be different than they once were for Rebus but it is as taut and compelling a procedural as its predecessors. Whether you have read some or all of the preceding books or seen the BBC show based on the lead character in the series, if you are a Rebus fan you don’t want to miss this one. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of spending time with the cranky and rough cop who doesn’t always follow the rules but who has a strong sense of justice and an at times unexpected reservoir of compassion, then here is your opportunity to rectify that omission (which will almost guarantee that you’ll head back and read the rest of the series, but be assured that you can read this as a standalone if need be). The rest of the characters are no more black-and-white than is Rebus, but like him it is their flaws as much as their strengths that render them relatable and realistic. There are good cops and bad, convicts with a heart and stone cold killers, loving families and dysfunctional ones. And at the heart of the book, the machinations of many that lead to a killing. Who wanted it done and why, and how was it done in a way that left little to no evidence behind? Are the PO’s covering up for one of their own, as the prisoners suspect, was it typical inmate friction or are there alliances between the staff and the inmates? Fans of author Ian Rankin as well as readers of books by Michael Connelly, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves should snap up a copy of Midnight and Blue….a gripping story awaits. Many thanks to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for allowing me early access to a copy of this latest work from accomplished author Ian Rankin.

John Rebus is back and better than ever!

Loved how Ian Rankin put a new twist on a long-running series by having our aging hero investigate a locked-cell murder while serving time in prison. The case was baffling, the supporting characters well-drawn, the suspense electrifying right up until the end. Happy to see Siobhan Clarke here, too.

Can't wait to see what's next for Rebus!

What a great read from Ian Rankin! Multiple plots that neatly tie together in the end. It was a bit difficult following all the different characters but that meant I had to pay attention and that was fine. A real “thinking” mystery where you had to take your time to consider what hint was just dropped. I must admit I was glad that fewer musical clues were dropped this time-the amount in this title were just right.