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  • A Heart Full of Headstones

  • By: Ian Rankin
  • Narrated by: James Macpherson
  • Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (895 ratings)
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A Heart Full of Headstones cover art

A Heart Full of Headstones

By: Ian Rankin
Narrated by: James Macpherson
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Summary

The Rebus thriller from the iconic number one bestseller. One of the must-listens of the year.

John Rebus had been in court plenty of times, but this was his first time in the dock...

John Rebus stands accused: on trial for a crime that could put him behind bars for the rest of his life. Although it's not the first time the legendary detective has taken the law into his own hands, it might be the last.

What drove a good man to cross the line? Or have times changed, and the rules with them

Detective Inspector Siobhan Clarke faces Edinburgh's most explosive case in years, as a corrupt cop goes missing after claiming to harbour secrets that could sink the city's police force.

But in this investigation, it seems all roads lead to Rebus - and Clarke's twin loyalties to the public and the police will be tested to their limit.

A reckoning is coming - and John Rebus may be hearing the call for last orders...

©2022 Ian Rankin (P)2022 Orion Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"I loved it hugely! Rebus is one of fiction's greatest creations." (Marian Keyes)

"Phenomenal... The ending is going to floor readers. Everyone is going to be talking about this!" (Mick Herron)

What listeners say about A Heart Full of Headstones

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

I have read every Ian rankin novel but was disappointed with his latest work. There were of course good parts but Rankin has set the bar too high to be just good. If there are no more books this one will not detract from the Rebus legacy Rankin has given us but in my opinion will not add to it,

A cook knows the difference between preparing a meal using a new menu with exciting ingredients and one thrown together using whatever is already in the fridge or pantry …and the guest knows too. This book was a rehash of previous characters, previous plots with a stand-alone non Rebus ending

The framework of family, Siobhan, frost and Cafferty and the dog etc are predictable. Dog walking seemed to be a fallback filler.

Relentless cups of tea, coffee, beer biscuits and sandwiches which previously, and in careful measure added life to a character or a scene but here drowns the reader and the story in a menu.

Storylines complex filled with bit part under developed characters and plot lines.

The ending that seemed like a standalone short story rather than denouement to the plot and totally out of character for Rebus. That was particularly so given Rankin emphasises throughout this story that rebus regrets his life dedication to the job and his determination to make up for that now with his family and relationships.

Rankin has tried before to bring Rebus to a close and move on to other things but has failed to do so and instead has reprised his character in a different guise.

If there are to be any more Rebus I can only imagine a Dallas style re-start.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Felt like it was an unfinished story

Great story as always but Very disappointed with the ending !!
no spoiler alert so will say no more ! Other than I feel quite
cheated was like I had read only half the story.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

disappointed

As a huge rebus fan I was hugely disappointed in this story,didn't grip like usual and was very underwhelmed by the ending

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Briliant

Absolutely loved this great story with lots of different strands brought together brilliantly. Fabulous reading by James Macpherson as always the voice of JR and Big G.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Let’s hope it’s not the end

Some binge watch mindless poorly written drama on TV. I have had the absolute pleasure to enjoy the brilliance of Rebus through the storytelling of Ian. Like any good writing it needs a equally brilliant performance. James is the best in class. So my only concern is that Ian decides to leave Rebus in the dock. Truly one of the best most addictive series ever. Well done. Elton & Bernie, Lennon & McCartney, Rankin McPherson. Worth all 5 Stars

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great storytelling

loved it, finished in a day, well worth the wait, more please. The competition between Rebus and Cafferty is compelling.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

terrible narrator

Great book. its Rebus and you get what you expect from Rebus but my goodness the narration is poor. the voices are so off-putting that I almost gabe up

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

not his best

I found it hard to keep concentrating on the story as it just seemed to drag. I've lived every other rebus book but this really was hard to finish. sorry

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

The slow slow passing on of John

Loved it as ever for its shocks & quiet off stage violence & characters re-met like old acquaintances, but story not quite gripping I would argue.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent as always

Another great addition to the Rebus story, full of mystery and a big helping of Rebus’s dark past.

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1 person found this helpful