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Exit Music (Abridged) Audiobook
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(4.00) - 9,288 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
It's late in the fall in Edinburgh and late in the career of Detective Inspector John Rebus. As he is simply trying to tie up some loose ends before his retirement, a new case lands on his desk: a dissident Russian poet has been murdered in what looks like a mugging gone wrong.
Rebus discovers that an elite delegation of Russian businessmen is in town, looking to expand its interests. And as Rebus's investigation gains ground, someone brutally assaults a local gangster with whom he has a long history.
Has Rebus overstepped his bounds for the last time? Only a few days shy of the end to his long, controversial career, will Rebus even make it that far?
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"Detective Inspector John Rebus is five days away from retirement when a famous Russian poet is beaten to death. Not looking forward to the sedentary retired life, Rebus plows into the new case with his usual intensity, butting heads with police chiefs, parliament, and mobsters alike. These Ian Rankin thrillers are suspenseful and entertaining. I can rarely put one down after beginning to read. Set in Edinburgh, Scotland, Rankin descibes Scottish life and it's underbelly with unabashed realism through his stubborn, haunted, vice-ridden detective. Hopefully this isn't the last..."
— Kristen (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The murder inquiry weaves and wanders at its own gait, stopping to consider such matters as the prospect of Scottish independence and the parallels between Scottish and Russian history, until Mr. Rankin suddenly picks up the pace. As ever, with consummate ease, he brings his story into sharp focus for its home stretch and shows how closely all the stories’ seemingly unrelated events were actually connected…Elegiac as it is, Exit Music sustains the series’ cranky pleasures.”
— New York Times -
“Exit Music is a fitting end to the career of one of the most beguiling characters in the history of crime fiction—not because the lowering of the final curtain finds the audience satisfied but because it leaves them gasping for more.”
— Times (London) -
“This may be Rebus’ swan song, but every page crackles with energy.”
— Daily Mail (London) -
“Whatever he writes, it will be worth reading. What J. K. Rowling achieved in children’s fantasy—redefining the genre and changing publishing expectations—Rankin has achieved in detective fiction.”
— Guardian (London) -
“Rankin has an unparalleled ability to draw in the reader and make us feel every knock and setback in Inspector Rebus’ red-raw life. Rarely has that talent been better displayed than in Exit Music.”
— Scotland on Sunday (Edinburgh)
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A 2008 Christian Science Monitor Book of the Year for Fiction
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An Indie Next Notable Title, October 2008
Exit Music Listener Reviews
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" A fitting end to an absorbing, wonderful series. "
— Wwmrsweasleydo, 2/17/2014 -
" not bad. he has a good style of writing. "
— Michael, 2/8/2014 -
" My first Ian Rankin book and not the last. This was a clever plot and makes me wonder if Rebers is really retiring. "
— Lori, 1/25/2014 -
" I'd always been somewhat ambivalent about this series, but what a terrific finish! I thought the pacing was phenomenal and the finish very suiting to the series. Rebus and Clarke's relationship matured wonderfully over the series course. Glad to see that Rankin has left us one more. "
— Herzog, 1/25/2014 -
" This may be my favorite series ever. It's sad to see it end. "
— Richard, 1/24/2014 -
" This may be my favorite series ever. It's sad to see it end. "
— Richard, 1/24/2014 -
" I got to page 250 and there was a chunk missing. Like, 100 pages, gah. And I wasn't that into it anyway, so I stopped. "
— Saya, 1/20/2014 -
" An interesting and different ending to a series than one usually finds. Well done. "
— Dharma, 1/15/2014 -
" It looks like it's time for Detective Inspector Rebus to make room for the new generation. He had a good run "
— Ricardo, 1/15/2014 -
" The John Rebus novels are so realisitic, intense, colorful. John is an eccentric Edinburgh policeman succumbing to late middle age as the series ends with his retirement from the force. His organized crime nemesis who haunts the later books brings new life to John's job. I loved this series and hated to see it end. "
— Brenda, 12/31/2013 -
" Like candy. In this novel Rebus retires. But Rankin has a new Edinburgh detective. And in an interview on NPR this morning with Rankin, I learned that Rebus might return. I'll try the young guy in the meantime I'm sure. (Audiobook of course so I can enjoy the accent in the read.) "
— Susan, 12/26/2013 -
" I hope this is not the end of Inspector Rebus. "
— Rick, 12/22/2013 -
" The last of the Rebus series in Scotland. Have read them all and his character will be missed. "
— Robin, 12/19/2013 -
" "Love the sarcastic Rebus. I found the final solution to the murder tedious and perhaps a bit stretched, but still very enjoyable book. " "
— Erich, 12/2/2013 -
" Took me a long time to finish because I read it in too short chunks. He tried to save Big Ger Cafferty...when all he wanted him to be is dead. Or did he? :) "
— Sherry, 11/22/2013 -
" Took me a long time to finish because I read it in too short chunks. He tried to save Big Ger Cafferty...when all he wanted him to be is dead. Or did he? :) "
— Sherry, 11/22/2013 -
" A Pow! ending to a great series. I'm going to miss Rebus. "
— Carla, 11/15/2013 -
" Good, but rather long I thought, and the ending is a little bit of a let-down, in my opinion. "
— Nina, 11/11/2013 -
" I sincerely hope this is not the last ever Rebus. It would be like losing a best friend after all these years. "
— Terry, 9/24/2013 -
" I sincerely hope this is not the last ever Rebus. It would be like losing a best friend after all these years. "
— Terry, 9/24/2013 -
" Classic Inspector Rebus, ended the series with the character intact, and the story just as wound up as previous books. "
— Emmanuel, 9/24/2013 -
" Hell of an ending. Why is it over? "
— Kerri, 9/14/2013 -
" I really enjoyed it but felt sad knowing it was the last in the Rebus series. "
— Suzanne, 7/9/2013 -
" It held my interest until the cryptic ending. Interesting characters. I got the feeling that I should have read the first 16 Inspector Rebus novels to really appreciate this one. "
— Bill, 6/7/2013 -
" This book is apparently the final case for Inspector Rebus. We will miss him very much! It has everything we have enjoyed in a Rebus book - tense, irreverent, friendship and a thumb in the eye of the establishment. Happy retirement, Rebus! "
— Alisonpaddock, 5/12/2013 -
" What? Nooooo... Don't end it like that. I want more... "
— Dawn, 4/9/2013 -
" Farewell Rebus....you will be missed :( "
— p, 12/25/2012 -
" The last Rebus book. Until he returned last year that is. "
— Keith, 11/29/2012 -
" Oh no!!! John Rebus is retiring??? What is going to become of Ian Rankin??? "
— Marjorie, 9/19/2012 -
" I can't believe that this is the last Rebus - I am heartbroken and could barely pick it up to start reading. A Rankin special but did it really have to end. "
— Eliza, 8/28/2012 -
" A great ending to the Rebus books. "
— Barbara, 5/6/2012 -
" My first Rebus mystery - can't believe I've never read these. And of course I started with the last one. I listened and once I got used to them, really enjoyed the accents. It added to the ambience. Will have to find more of these "
— Joanne, 1/1/2012 -
" Couldn't finish this book, got about half way through and gave up :( "
— Beaster, 11/24/2011 -
" Just when I found Inspector Rebus, he was gone. "
— Lewis, 11/13/2011 -
" Very hard to understand the accent of Inspector Rebus, but that's ok seeing as how he's Scottish. Great. Kind of a depressing story though, based as it is on the retirement of Rebus. "
— Lora, 10/3/2011 -
" Unfortunately, this story lacked interest over a pace too slow for my liking. I could not finish this novel because I kept falling asleep. "
— Tim, 8/19/2011 -
" Love the crusty John Rebus. Good story, kept my interest throughout. "
— Denise, 8/6/2011 -
" Thank god thats over - its taken months and I never thought I'd have to mark a Rebus book so low, but this just didn't cut the mustard for me... "
— Lucy, 7/21/2011 -
" Superb - Ian Rankin gets better and better, sadly Rebus gets older and older! The one series I cannot fault. Enjoyed this immensely. "
— Mum, 6/29/2011 -
" Disappointing. Still enjoyable for the nostalgia factor, seeing as I love Rebus so much. The story fails to gel and the characters aren't as interesting as in the other books. "
— patience, 6/24/2011 -
" Excellent crime novel. The John Rebus series is well worth reading "
— Jim, 4/16/2011 -
" Thank god thats over - its taken months and I never thought I'd have to mark a Rebus book so low, but this just didn't cut the mustard for me... "
— Lucy, 4/5/2011 -
" Thank god thats over - its taken months and I never thought I'd have to mark a Rebus book so low, but this just didn't cut the mustard for me... "
— Lucy, 4/5/2011 -
" Like candy. In this novel Rebus retires. But Rankin has a new Edinburgh detective. And in an interview on NPR this morning with Rankin, I learned that Rebus might return. I'll try the young guy in the meantime I'm sure. (Audiobook of course so I can enjoy the accent in the read.) "
— Susan, 3/24/2011 -
" Like candy. In this novel Rebus retires. But Rankin has a new Edinburgh detective. And in an interview on NPR this morning with Rankin, I learned that Rebus might return. I'll try the young guy in the meantime I'm sure. (Audiobook of course so I can enjoy the accent in the read.) "
— Susan, 3/24/2011 -
" My first Inspector Rebus mystery. I like John Rebus. "
— Angie, 3/5/2011 -
" My first Inspector Rebus mystery. I like John Rebus. "
— Angie, 3/5/2011 -
" It's a Rebus novel ... "
— John, 2/11/2011 -
" Long and meandering. Glad it was CDs, let the words wash over me while I drive. Shows the painstaking work of detectives, lots of red herrings and dud clues. Are they always long and meandering, or was it because this one was Rebus' retirement? "
— Liz, 2/9/2011 -
" Long and meandering. Glad it was CDs, let the words wash over me while I drive. Shows the painstaking work of detectives, lots of red herrings and dud clues. Are they always long and meandering, or was it because this one was Rebus' retirement? "
— Liz, 2/9/2011 -
" Ian Rankin's best Rebus novel. Good characterizations, interesting case. And of course, Rebus himself, an old friend about to retire. "
— Diane, 2/2/2011 -
" Ian Rankin's best Rebus novel. Good characterizations, interesting case. And of course, Rebus himself, an old friend about to retire. "
— Diane, 2/2/2011 -
" met him at book signing. Discovered his books in 2004. Then went back at bought all the series to date. "
— Tom, 1/24/2011 -
" met him at book signing. Discovered his books in 2004. Then went back at bought all the series to date. "
— Tom, 1/24/2011 -
" THE BOOK WAS OK BUT DRAG N EVER GETTING TO THE POINT "
— Mary, 12/19/2010 -
" THE BOOK WAS OK BUT DRAG N EVER GETTING TO THE POINT "
— Mary, 12/19/2010 -
" I will miss u Rebus! "
— Rirza, 11/25/2010 -
" probably shouldn't listen to the last book in a long series first, but still, very enjoyable. yay for scottish narrators! "
— Nicole, 11/4/2010 -
" probably shouldn't listen to the last book in a long series first, but still, very enjoyable. yay for scottish narrators! "
— Nicole, 11/4/2010 -
" I listened to this book on tape while I was working out. Ok, for that kind of "reading." "
— Linda, 10/27/2010 -
" I listened to this book on tape while I was working out. Ok, for that kind of "reading." "
— Linda, 10/27/2010 -
" Rebus - Stott love it another great Rankin read "
— Karen, 10/24/2010 -
" Rebus - Stott love it another great Rankin read "
— Karen, 10/24/2010 -
" A fitting finale for this series but is the door left open for a return as maybe a consultant or similar. One or two ends not tied off makes this a possibility. <br/>It seems strange that we shall not see this gritty, grumpy cop again. "
— David, 10/21/2010 -
" A fitting finale for this series but is the door left open for a return as maybe a consultant or similar. One or two ends not tied off makes this a possibility. <br/>It seems strange that we shall not see this gritty, grumpy cop again. "
— David, 10/21/2010 -
" I've read all 17 Rebus novels. This is one of the best ones. Plenty of red herrings. Rebus reflects on his life outside work when he's a few days away from retiring. "
— Rita, 10/7/2010 -
" I've read all 17 Rebus novels. This is one of the best ones. Plenty of red herrings. Rebus reflects on his life outside work when he's a few days away from retiring. "
— Rita, 10/7/2010
About Ian Rankin
Ian Rankin, a New York Times bestselling author, is the recipient of an Edgar Award, a Gold Dagger for fiction, and a Chandler-Fulbright Fellowship.
About the Narrators
Ian Rankin, a New York Times bestselling author, is the recipient of an Edgar Award, a Gold Dagger for fiction, and a Chandler-Fulbright Fellowship.
James MacPherson, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, is a Scottish actor best known for his role as Detective Michael Jardine in the STV drama Taggart, as well as his portrayal of Hugh Hamilton in BBC Radio 4’s hit drama series Citizens.