Michael Robison wrote:
> picked up another name here, ian rankin. i got _the
black book_.
> there was an earlier one and i would have started
with it but the print
> quality was pathetic.
I started reading Rankin well after THE BLACK BOOK had been
published, but I did read the series from the first book. I
remember thinking that Rankin was good, but I couldn't see
what the fuss was about. I recall hearing Ellroy had called
Rankin the 'Scottish Ellroy', and until I got to THE BLACK
BOOK, I had no idea why. THE BLACK BOOK marks a huge change
in Rankin's ability to juggle plot and pacing. I enjoyed the
books leading up to it, but it wasn't until that book that I
bothered recommended the series to a friend (with the caveat
that he would get payback starting with THE BLACK
BOOK).
If you aren't going to start at the beginning, THE BLACK BOOK
is a good choice.
I've got THE SKULL MANTRA on my shelf. Sounds like it's time
to dust it off...
--Stewart
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