Book Log 2018 #15: A Question of Blood by Ian Rankin

John Rebus picks up a case of two teens killed by an ex-Army man and loner, with whom Rebus seems to identify (wonder why?). The investigation faces roadblocks both from a local MP (whose son survived the shooting) and a pair of military intelligence types, who would like to keep much of the shooter's past in the past.

Also confounding the investigation is the suspicion the Rebus was involved in the death of a local hoodlum who had been bothering Siobhan Clarke. The crook died in a fire, and Rebus just happened to go to hospital around the same time for treatment of burns. It should not surprise you that Rebus is suspended for a time while this is investigated. It should surprise you less that Rebus continues to investigate the shootings while suspended.

I think what I like the most about these later books in the series is how they tie together the threads of the past. It's not necessarily direct links - for example, I don't think any of the Army characters served with Rebus - but how the plots and characters from the early parts of the series inform what happens now. This should be expected in a long-running series, but it doesn't always happen. So if you've been reading the series, look forward to these later books. If you haven't been, you should probably start.