The Rankin Files—-Strip Jack

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 10:59 pm by Ben Witherington

The Rankin Files—-Strip Jack 2015-03-13T22:59:28-04:00 Ben Witherington

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There are lies, darn lies, and politics….. Well that’s my version of the old saying. And the fourth John Rebus tale is all about a popular, charismatic Scot named Gregor Jack is up to his kilt in you know what when his wife is found dead in a Scottish beck. This novel is different in various respects to the predecessors, not least because it involves those infernal Scots bloodhounds, known as the press. Ah the press and politicians… they deserve each other in John Rebus’ book, but somewhere in his policeman’s heart, John has a soft spot for that ole dog Gregor. He just can’t believe he’d do in his own wife. He’s enduring and endearing, and most of the time seems like an overgrown puppy dog— the kind that drools regularly. But the thing is, he is caught one night in a brothel… but not with his pants down. But of course the newspapers have a field day with that one. And John Rebus has to get to the bottom of this, or on top of this, or strip it down to its bare essence… so to speak.

This novel is written in a playful manner, lots of word play, lots of puns, revealing a writer who had begun to hit his stride and feel his oats and flex his muscles— and all those sorts of metaphors. For example, here’s a little sample from right out of the blocks at the beginning of the story….. p.5—

“I am not my brothel’s keeper, thought Rebus. All the same he had to admire [the madam’s] performance. She was a business-woman, she kept saying, a tax payer, she had rights… and where was her solicitor?

“I thought it was her that was doing the soliciting…”

Or on p. 264— “Another day, another dolour.” Yes, this novel is full of that sort of punning and quick quips. The interesting thing about using such language in a crime thriller is that it lightens the tone, it makes it all less sordid and grim, more fun, less overdone.

As for John Rebus, well he has taken up with a doctor lady named Patience, and you can just imagine the puns made on that. It’s a doctor patience kind of relationship, and as such it’s largely a private matter. After all doctors don’t want to lose their patience, err patients through a lack of confidentiality.

John continues to partner with Holmes, who, while he is a Brian and no Sherlock is quite good at what he does. It’s fun to have Holmes playing second fiddle in the hands of a Scottish novelist who is so very different from A.C. Doyle. There is however little or nothing in this novel about Rebus’ religion. Of the first four novels, Tooth and Nail is still the best. Only fourteen more to check out 🙂

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