The
Beat Goes On is a collection of short stories and two
novellas. In the preface, Ian Rankin gives listeners a little
insight on the audio version they are about to enjoy by letting
them know the first short story, "Dead and Buried,"
is the most recent written and takes place in the 1980s. The
short story is linked to his novel Saints of the Shadow Bible.
We find other short stories are linked to other titles, as
well. Some of the stories are duplicates from A Good Hanging
and Beggars Banquet. In the twenty-nine stories, there are
six uncollected stories (written for the holidays) as well
as two new ones at the end. Through these short stories, we
see Rebus change from a young Detective Sergeant wanting to
fit in to a worn-out, pessimistic Detective Inspector.
I had
yet to try any of Rankin's short stories, so this was a real
treat. I found some of the stories short enough to fit into
a lunch hour and the drive time to and from work. If you're
new to Rebus and find yourself obsessing (as many do once
they pick up a Rankin title), then you might be interested
in Rankin's nonfiction title Rebus's Scotland.
James
Macpherson once again narrates Rebus through his current cases
and personal tribulations. His narration of Rebus matches
Rankin's version of this complex character. I can't imagine
visiting Rebus' Edinburgh with anyone else.
Reviews
of other titles in this series
Resurrection
Men #13 [book]
[audio]
Question of Blood #14 [book]
[audio]
Naming of the Dead #16 [audio]
[book]
Exit Music #17 [audio]
Saints of the Shadow Bible #19 [audio]
Standing in Another Man's Grave #20 [audio]
The Beat Goes On [audio]
(short stories)
Impossible Dead [book]
(Malcom Fox #2)
Rather Be the Devil #21 [audio]
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