Even Dogs in the Wild
| Industry | Crime fiction novel |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 |
| Products | Inspector Rebus series |
Even Dogs in the Wild represents the twentieth entry in the acclaimed Inspector Rebus crime fiction series, released in 2015. Its title is inspired by a track from the Scottish group The Associates, featured on their album The Affectionate Punch.
Plot summary
The discovery of a former senior Scottish prosecutor's body, accompanied by a menacing message, triggers a high-profile investigation led by Siobhan Clarke. Meanwhile, the semi-retired criminal figure 'Big Ger' Cafferty survives an assassination attempt after receiving a similar threatening note. Despite his retirement, John Rebus is called back to provide assistance. At the same time, Malcolm Fox keeps watch over a gang from Glasgow intending to extend its influence into Edinburgh. Navigating reciprocal dangers and police attention, Cafferty collaborates with young gangster Darryl Christie and the Glasgow faction. The origin of the vendetta is traced by Cafferty to a violent incident that occurred three decades earlier.
Themes
Central to the narrative are father-son relationships and conflicts, especially exemplified through the intricate interactions between Rebus and Fox.
Reception
Publishers Weekly described the novel as "uneven," criticizing Fox’s character as somewhat "milquetoast." Conversely, Melanie McGrath writing for The Guardian commended it as "a twisty, darkly topical and immaculately executed tale." According to Kirkus Reviews, although the storyline unfolds gradually, "the payoff is well worth it to see how this latest installment in the celebrated series assembles all elements together."