Rebus is a workaholic and though his official retirement date is less than two weeks away, he continues to work diligently. Not making much headway in a review of an old case, Rebus and his partner Siobhan Clarke are almost relieved to be called out to the scene of a brutal murder in one of the city’s less well traveled roads in close proximity only to a cemetery and a car park.

The victim is identified as Alexander Todorov, a Russian immigrant who had sparked some controversy of late with his poetry. There is no argument with Todorov’s talent as a poet, but his views are controversial. In fact, a Russian businessman currently living in Edinburgh, Sergei Andropov, has been heard commenting that he wished Todorov dead.

Todorov had done business with Charles Riordan, a computer wizard/musician whose professed occupation is sound engineer. As Rebus and Clarke investigate further they discover that Riordan’s talents allow him to do what he most enjoys – eavesdropping on all and sundry conversations. Since Riordan had recorded a number of Todorov’s poetry readings it is hardly a stretch of the imagination that Riordan’s death in a fiery blaze in his studio among his recordings might be connected with Todorov’s death.

Adding to Rebus’s worries is an attack on Gerry Cafferty, a gangster. During John’s long career Cafferty has given him more than his share of trouble and it seems likely that he will continue to do so up until his retirement day.

One of the most striking things about the Rebus books is Rankin’s ability to communicate the tone and atmosphere of Edinburgh. Not only are the political views of its residents expressed but the factors that make Edinburgh a different place than Glasgow or any English city are well presented. Americans tend to lump England, Scotland and Wales together as an entity, which as Rankin indicates, is clearly not the case.

Rankin’s characters are carefully developed and presented. Despite the fact that there are sixteen novels preceding it, a newcomer to the series will have no trouble identifying with Rebus or Clarke without the author resorting to an extensive rehash of the plots of earlier novels. With Rebus retiring it is likely that Clarke will assume his command as she is tentatively given it during this investigation. It is interesting to see how her style is her own but has been seriously influenced by her about to be former boss. Rebus’s reaction to his impending retirement and the fact that he is not the lead in this investigation will get the attention of most readers.

The resolution of the plot is a classic example of Occam’s Razor. Rebus does his homework diligently and comes up with a plausible solution. Yet he is surprised on more than one front. What results is a very satisfying conclusion. I have not read any of the previous Rebus novels, but if Exit Music is typical of the rest of the series Ian Rankin has not lost his touch and has provided the perfect exit for his strong willed, strong minded hero.

--Andy Plonka