The Flood - Ian Rankin

Background I'm sure most people have heard of this author Ian Rankin through the Rebus books and television series. This was however my first experience of his work. About the Author Ian Rankin was born in Fife, Scotland in 1960. He is the UK's Number 1 selling crime author. So far he has written 27 novels, of which his most successful have been the Rebus series of books. His first novel was 'The Flood', which originally was planned for Radio 4's Short story section but was considered too long so Rankin converted it into a novel instead. He has received many awards for his work including an OBE in 2002 for his services to ...  Read the complete review

Ian Rankin is one of the most popular modern scottish authors, his work is generally best known for the character John Rebus, and the accompanying TV shows, but before Rebus was The Flood. A novel set in a small Fife village, during the period when the traditional local industries were closing down. But it opens during the time when the local coal mine was still active, with a history of the female lead, Mary Miller. The book is more the story of her son than of Mary herself but for us the reader to understand you need to know why Mary Miller is considered to be the local witch. Dealing with the whispered rumours about the death of the boy ...  Read the complete review