The Edinburgh Dead by Brian Ruckley - Revision history

Alex at 12:29, 31 January 2022

2022-01-31T12:29:42Z

Sue at 11:35, 2 October 2020

2020-10-02T11:35:36Z

Sue at 10:38, 16 September 2020

2020-09-16T10:38:33Z

Sue at 16:57, 18 February 2018

2018-02-18T16:57:55Z

Sue at 15:13, 10 November 2014

2014-11-10T15:13:05Z

Sue at 13:33, 8 September 2012

2012-09-08T13:33:47Z

Sue at 08:19, 14 September 2011

2011-09-14T08:19:28Z

Sue: Created page with '{{infobox |title=The Edinburgh Dead |sort= Edinburgh Dead |author=Brian Ruckley |reviewer=Iain Wear |genre=Crime (Historical) |summary=An excellent crime thriller where the pacin…'

2011-09-14T08:18:56Z

Created page with '{{infobox |title=The Edinburgh Dead |sort= Edinburgh Dead |author=Brian Ruckley |reviewer=Iain Wear |genre=Crime (Historical) |summary=An excellent crime thriller where the pacin…'

New review

{{infobox
|title=The Edinburgh Dead
|sort= Edinburgh Dead
|author=Brian Ruckley
|reviewer=Iain Wear
|genre=Crime (Historical)
|summary=An excellent crime thriller where the pacing and language fit in perfectly with the setting of the story, but where the plot is never neglected.
|rating=5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|paperback=1841498653
|hardback=
|audiobook=
|ebook=B005FVKV5S
|pages=416
|publisher=Orbit
|date=August 2022
|isbn=978-1841498652
|website=http://www.brianruckley.com/
|video=
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1841498653</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>1841498653</amazonus>
}}

The phrase 'jack of all trades and master of none' can apply to writers as well as anything else and I've always been suspicious of authors who switch genres, as they often prove less effective when they do so. Sometimes, however, it does work and having enjoyed Brian Ruckley's fantasy writings such as [[Fall of Thanes by Brian Ruckley|Fall of Thanes]], I found that he's equally as enjoyable when writing a crime thriller.

In 1820's Edinburgh, a man is found dead, apparently the victim of an animal attack. The trail leads Sergeant Adam Quire to a John Ruthven, who Quire quickly realises is lying to him about what he knows. Quire's suspicions are further confirmed when his superiors warn him away from digging too deeply into Ruthven and when he himself is attacked by a pack of dogs that appear to have been dead for some time. Quire links this to the recent spate of grave thefts that are providing subjects for the medical experiments and demonstrations being carried out in Edinburgh at that time.

Whilst the story is well done, it's the writing of the novel that really caught my attention. This is a beautifully paced novel, in a way that somehow matches the time period it is set in. It's a slower pace of life and this is wonderfully reflected in the relatively gentle pacing of the story. For those more used to modern crime thrillers where things are solved with a machine gun, it may seem a little slow, but what the pacing felt like to me here was completely authentic. Whilst characters may hurry from place to place, there is no sense of urgency and rushing around and it makes for an almost relaxing read, despite the gruesomeness of the contents.

The language used is perfect as well and helps with the pacing. The language here is well considered and again fits the time frame of the novel as well as the pacing of the story. All of the characters seem to consider their words and there are very few rash outbursts and none of the foul language that often appears in modern thrillers.

Ruckley's great writing extends to his characters. Adam Quire is an ideal hero – his determination makes you admire him yet his tragic past gives you room to sympathise with him. When he's badly treated you feel sorry for him, but you can't help but cheer him on. He may make mistakes, but his motives are pure and whilst his superiors may not like him, the reader does. In many ways, he reminds me of [[:Category:Ian Rankin|Ian Rankin's Rebus]], determined to get the right outcome for his conscience rather than obeying the rules. Ruckley also writes Ruthven and Blegg as entirely unsympathetic characters, drawing a clear line between good and bad and helping the reader be even more considerate towards Quire.

What we end up with here is the ideal thriller for its setting. It may seem a little slow of pace for those used to modern crime novels, but for those who enjoy something with a little more meat to it, this is the perfect read. Every part of it works together wonderfully and whilst the concept of Rebus meets Frankenstein isn't terribly realistic, somehow it still feels quite believable. As good as I found Ruckley's fantasy writings, his crime writing is even better. A master of all trades indeed.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

For another well written crime novel, albeit with a more modern setting, check out Jim Kelly's [[Death Wore White by Jim Kelly|Death Wore White]].

{{amazontext|amazon=1841498653}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=8168827}}

{{commenthead}}

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag. We also have a review of [[The Free by Brian Ruckley]].
-For another well-written crime novel, albeit with a more modern setting, check out Jim Kelly's [[Death Wore White by Jim Kelly|Death Wore White]].  You might also enjoy [[The Stranger From Home by Frederic Lindsay]].
+For another well-written crime novel, albeit with a more modern setting, check out Jim Kelly's [[Death Wore White by Jim Kelly|Death Wore White]].  You might also enjoy [[The Stranger From Home by Frederic Lindsay]] or [[The Great Silence by Doug Johnstone]].
 {{amazontext|amazon=1841498653}}

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 |isbn=978-1841498652
 |website=http://www.brianruckley.com/
 |cover=Ruckley_Edinburgh
 |aznuk=1841498653
@@ Line 32: / Line 31: @@
 What we end up with here is the ideal thriller for its setting.  It may seem a little slow of pace for those used to modern crime novels, but for those who enjoy something with a little more meat to it, this is the perfect read.  Every part of it works together wonderfully and whilst the concept of Rebus meets Frankenstein isn't terribly realistic, somehow it still feels quite believable.  As good as I found Ruckley's fantasy writings, his crime writing is even better.  A master of all trades indeed.
-I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
+I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag. We also have a review of [[The Free by Brian Ruckley]].
 For another well-written crime novel, albeit with a more modern setting, check out Jim Kelly's [[Death Wore White by Jim Kelly|Death Wore White]].  You might also enjoy [[The Stranger From Home by Frederic Lindsay]].

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{infobox
+{{infobox1
 |title=The Edinburgh Dead
 |sort= Edinburgh Dead
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 |website=http://www.brianruckley.com/
 |video=
-|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1841498653</amazonuk>
+|cover=Ruckley_Edinburgh
-|amazonus=<amazonus>B005FVKV5S</amazonus>
+|aznuk=1841498653
 }}

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:33, 8 September 2012
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 |buy=Yes
 |borrow=Yes
 |pages=416
 |publisher=Orbit
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 For another well written crime novel, albeit with a more modern setting, check out Jim Kelly's [[Death Wore White by Jim Kelly|Death Wore White]].
-{{amazontext|amazon=1841498653}} {{waterstonestext|waterstones=8168827}}
+{{amazontext|amazon=1841498653}}
 {{commenthead}}
 [[Category:Thrillers]]