The Black Book (Rankin novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Ian Rankin |
| Products | Crime novel |
The Black Book is a 1993 crime novel authored by Ian Rankin and represents the fifth entry in the Inspector Rebus series. This novel introduces Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke and marks the first significant appearance of "Big Ger" Cafferty as a central figure. Additionally, it depicts Rebus's posting at St Leonards police station.
Plot summary
Detective Inspector John Rebus encounters numerous difficulties, including providing shelter for his troubled brother Michael and coping with complicated personal relationships. He reconnects with an old military acquaintance, Deek Torrance, who is involved in illegal enterprises and offers access to various underground services. At work, Operation "Moneybags" targets one of Cafferty's loan sharks, but Rebus sets his sights directly on Cafferty himself. Meanwhile, his colleague Brian Holmes suffers an assault that leaves him comatose.
Brian’s partner Nell Stapleton reveals that Brian maintained a "Black Book" filled with cryptic entries relating to a mysterious poker game connected to a deadly fire at Edinburgh’s Central Hotel five years earlier. The blaze resulted in an unidentified corpse, later discovered to have been shot. Rebus’s investigation leads him to revisit former contacts, including Matthew Vanderhyde, who has ties to the Central Hotel and political circles from the 1950s.
Rebus uncovers that the "Bru-head Brothers," criminals who disappeared around the time of the fire, along with Cafferty, appear in the Black Book under pseudonyms. After Michael endures a near-fatal incident, Rebus turns to Deek Torrance for protection. Brian awakens but recalls little aside from Eddie Ringan—the proprietor of the Heartbreak Cafe where Brian was attacked—being involved in the poker game.
Rebus questions Eddie, who denies any involvement but later vanishes following a violent confrontation. Suspecting foul play, Rebus confronts Cafferty, who admits that the Robertson brothers once worked for him but denies any recent connections. Shortly afterward, Eddie is discovered apparently dead in what appears to be a staged suicide.
Forensic findings cast doubt on Eddie’s death. Rebus obtains a firearm from Deek Torrance but faces suspension when the weapon is linked to the Central Hotel shooting. Further inquiries reveal Eddie is alive; he admits to assisting in the arson after Aengus Gibson—a reformed heir of a brewing dynasty—shot one of the Robertson brothers during the poker game.
Siobhan Clarke confirms that Tam Robertson’s remains were found within the hotel ruins. Rebus locates Eck Robertson living under an assumed identity; Eck claims Aengus shot Tam for cheating and subsequently set fire to cover up the crime. Aengus later took his own life; his journal implicates Cafferty in pressuring him into committing the shooting.
Rebus arranges a sting operation using child molester Andrew McPhail as bait to apprehend Cafferty. With Cafferty behind bars, law enforcement raids his criminal network, arresting associates including Deek Torrance. Eddie agrees to testify against Cafferty in return for leniency.
In closing, Rebus suspects Nell Stapleton attacked Brian Holmes due to recent disputes between them but lacks definitive proof.
Connections to other Rankin books
- The recurring figure Marie Henderson, a journalist, makes her initial appearance.
- Cafferty is first seen in a background role in Tooth and Nail.
- A mention of Scottish Sword and Shield by Vanderhyde hints at the upcoming Mortal Causes.
- Rebus continues to show slight fire damage to his hair, a remnant from Strip Jack.
Writing The Black Book
In the introduction to Rebus: The St Leonard Years, Rankin explains that the Elvis-themed diner was inspired by an American vacation experience and subsequently modified for Edinburgh.
Reception
The book garnered considerable praise, including a starred critique from Publishers Weekly, which lauded its intricate storyline and likened it to the work of Raymond Chandler. Kirkus Reviews characterized it as "Rich and flavorful, reminiscent of an endless bowl of Scotch broth."