Set in Darkness
| Company type | Crime novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Ian Rankin |
| Products | Book |
Set in Darkness is a crime novel released in 2000 by Ian Rankin, marking the eleventh installment in the Inspector Rebus series. The book earned the 2005 Grand Prix du Roman Policier in France, where it was published under the title Du fond des ténèbres.
Plot summary
The story is set in December 1998, shortly before the historic reopening of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh after a 300-year hiatus. It also reflects on the earlier failed referendum for Scottish devolution from 1978–79. Both timeframes are characterized by a surge in Edinburgh’s property development and construction sectors, with criminal elements engaging in speculation near the future parliamentary site.
Detective Inspector John Rebus participates on a security liaison committee overseeing preparations for the new Parliament. During an inspection of Queensberry House, which forms part of the Scottish Parliament Building, the group uncovers a mummified corpse concealed within an old fireplace. Investigating this cold case requires delving into renovation activities dating back to around 1979.
Roddy Grieve, a Labour candidate vying for a seat as a MSP, is discovered murdered on the grounds of Queensberry House. Grieve comes from a notable Edinburgh family with deep political and artistic connections, including a brother serving as a Tory MP and a sister known for her modeling career. The homicide investigation is officially led by DI Derek Linford, an officer eager to advance his career, but Rebus pursues his own line of inquiry independently.
DC Siobhan Clarke, recently reassigned from Sex Crimes, examines the suspicious death of a homeless man who possessed unexplained wealth. Working alongside Rebus, they uncover links tying this case to both the historic murder and Grieve’s killing.
At the same time, criminal figure Big Ger Cafferty—recently freed after faking a cancer diagnosis—returns to Edinburgh. Rebus investigates Cafferty’s involvement in real estate-related crimes from the 1970s and exposes the fraudulent illness claim, aiming to have him incarcerated once more.
Structure
The narrative unfolds between December 1998 and January 1, 1999, encompassing events leading up to the 1999 Scottish Parliament election.
The novel is organized into three sections, each introduced by an epigraph drawn from various literary and musical sources. The opening epigraph is from Sarah Williams's poem “The Old Astronomer to His Pupil,” which also inspired the book’s title and conveys an underlying sense of hope. The sections are named “The Sense of an Ending” (chapters 1–15), “Fitful and Dark” (chapters 16–28), and “Beyond This Mist” (chapters 29–42). These parts include epigraphs from artists such as Deacon Blue and historian Angus Calder. The title of the second section originates from a poem by Hugh MacDiarmid, quoted by Rebus early in chapter 1.
Originally, Rankin intended this novel to launch a trilogy centered on Roddy Grieve’s role within the newly established Scottish Parliament. However, he altered this plan by killing Grieve off early on, effectively creating what he described as a “one-book trilogy.” The comprehensive depiction of the Grieve family in chapter 3 reflects this initial concept.
Place in the Rebus Novels
Upon release, Rankin acknowledged that Rebus was approaching retirement, estimating that around five or six more novels would feature him. Although Rebus officially retires in Exit Music, published six books after Set in Darkness, the series continues beyond his departure. Two significant plot developments within Set in Darkness presage this transition.
Firstly, Morris Gerald Cafferty reemerges after serving time at Barlinnie Prison, where he had been incarcerated since 1993's The Black Book. While not consistently Rebus’s primary adversary going forward, Cafferty remains a pivotal character through Exit Music and subsequent novels. This resurgence sparked speculation about a climactic showdown between Rebus and Cafferty reminiscent of a contemporary Reichenbach Falls encounter.
Secondly, Siobhan Clarke’s prominence expands considerably. Once primarily a supporting character, Clarke assumes greater narrative focus in many chapters of Set in Darkness, leading investigations that intersect with those pursued by Rebus. This narrative shift allows Rankin to continue exploring familiar themes through Clarke’s perspective following Rebus’s retirement.
Laura Severin described their relationship around the time of Exit Music: Rebus symbolizes a patriarchal worldview defined by clear moral distinctions, whereas Clarke represents a postpatriarchal sensibility attuned to social and political nuances. Although Clarke’s viewpoint has not yet replaced Rebus’s central conflict with Cafferty, Set in Darkness marks the first novel to articulate this evolving dynamic.
Reception
The book garnered significant praise, earning a starred review from Publishers Weekly that commended its "compelling characters" and "brilliant plot twist." Meanwhile, Kirkus Reviews emphasized its portrayal of "biting family dynamics, workplace conflicts, and the critical errors made by a well-intentioned individual."