Witch Hunt - Hardcover

Born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960, Ian Rankin graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982, and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Literature. His first Rebus novel was published in 1987, and the Rebus books are now translated into twenty-two languages and are bestsellers on several continents. Ian Rankin has been elected a Hawthornden Fellow, and is also a past winner of the Chandler-Fulbright Award. He is the recipient of four Crime Writers' Association Dagger Awards including the prestigious Diamond Dagger in 2005. In 2004, Ian won America's celebrated Edgar Award for 'Resurrection Men'. He has also been shortlisted for the Edgar and Anthony Awards in the USA, and won Denmark's Palle Rosenkrantz Prize, the French Grand Prix du Roman Noir and the Deutscher Krimipreis. Ian Rankin is also the recipient of honorary degrees from the universities of Abertay, St Andrews and Edinburgh. A contributor to BBC2's 'Newsnight Review', he also presented his own TV series, 'Ian Rankin's Evil Thoughts'. He recently received the OBE for services to literature, opting to receive the prize in his home city of Edinburgh, where he lives with his partner and two sons.

It's immediately clear why author Rankin is a multiple mystery award winner--the clean, tight writing here features crisp character development and a relentless plot. Terrorists, assassins, Scotland Yard, and MI5 take part in this multilayered story involving desire, ambition, and murder. Peter Capaldi breathes even more life into the novel, painting clear, intricate sound pictures of each character. Retired spymaster Dominic Elder is rendered as a restrained, flinty James Mason. Brash Cockney cops; nerdy, bland bureaucrats; and a dragon lady spy are all vividly portrayed, along with the title character--code name "Witch"--a twisted mercenary with style to burn. This is a fantastic listen whose plot falters only in its final reel--yet the acting never flags. D.J.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine