The Beat Goes On cover art

The Beat Goes On

The Complete Rebus Short Stories

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The Beat Goes On

By: Ian Rankin
Narrated by: James Macpherson, Ian Rankin
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About this listen

Including brand new material, this is the complete collection of Rebus short stories from the Sunday Times Number one best seller.

Over the years, Ian Rankin has amassed an incredible portfolio of short stories. Published in crime magazines, composed for events, broadcast on radio, they all share the best qualities of his phenomenally popular Rebus novels.

Brought together for the first time, and including brand-new material, this is the ultimate Rebus short-story collection and a must-have book for crime lovers and for Ian's millions of fans alike. No Rankin aficionado can go without it.

©2014 John Rebus Ltd (P)2014 Orion Publishing Group
Anthologies & Short Stories Crime Fiction Detective Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Traditional Detectives Short Story
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Editor reviews

A brilliant assortment of the extraordinary Rebus mysteries have been collected into one unabridged audiobook of short stories, The Beat Goes On, written by Sunday Times number one best-selling author Ian Rankin and narrated by the ever-popular Scottish actor James Macpherson and Rankin himself. Mystery book fans and Rebus enthusiasts alike will enjoy these suspense-driven, tense and twisted storylines. Listen as Inspector Rebus hunts for well-hidden clues, chases elusive murderers through the shadows and brings justice to the endless victims. This is classic Rebus at his most daring and addictive. Available now from Audible.

What listeners say about The Beat Goes On

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Rebus Lives!

I love the books featuring John Rebus and have read them all, so listening to new (to me) though short, stories was an absolute joy. The narrator was wonderfully nuanced with his voice characterisations, and got the emotional tones just right.

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Short Stories make a change

Where does The Beat Goes On rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

this book is way up top of my favorite league table. the idea of short stories are ideal for the journeys to and from work where the plot longer novels can easily be lost whne listening in short bursts

What did you like best about this story?

various short stories with different plots and themes was very entertaining

Which scene did you most enjoy?

they were all excellent in their own right

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

had the occasional chuckle - -rebus is so alive

Any additional comments?

typical rankin and rebus at their best

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Brilliant

Enjoyed all the stories very much It is something you can pick up and listen to at anytime. Nice easy listening. James MacPherson is an excellent narrator

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Great insight to Rebus & Rankin

Having listened to all of the Rebus novels on Audible this is great to have several short stories in one place

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Rebus the puzzle.

we have become familiar with John Rebus personified bt Ken Stott. try to read these without imagining the crumpled face and stocky body of the actor. Impossible. Great short stories great location.

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Good fun and very enjoyable

I like the Rebus novels but hey can be a bit hard going at times. These short tales are just right. Rebus never takes himself too seriously and the plot lines are just complex enough to engage without being overly complicated. Definitely recommended for Rebus fans. the author's piece about the development of the character is also very interesting.

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Rebus at his best.

An excellent book full of Rebus short stories. Ian Rankins book of short stories is brilliant.

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Brings Edinburgh alive and almost touchable.

I left Edinburgh many years ago but Ian Rankin’s Rebus tales take me right back to the city of my memories. The plots of the stories are just about where reality meets generous imagination but they’re cunning enough for my taste. Great stuff!

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Masterful thriller writer!

If you could sum up The Beat Goes On in three words, what would they be?

Expert, concise crime.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rebus - moody, cynical and realistic.

Have you listened to any of Ian Rankin and James Macpherson ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Yes. Up with the best of them.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Twist at the end of each story.

Any additional comments?

Rankin is a master of his craft and a brilliant short story teller.

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Vintage Rebus

What made the experience of listening to The Beat Goes On the most enjoyable?

This was like meeting up with an old friend, although Rebus might say "Less of the old" .

What did you like best about this story?

I like the rawness of the story, the pure toughness and straightforwardness that runs through each one.

Which character – as performed by Ian Rankin and James Macpherson – was your favourite?

John Rebus !

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Rebus.... one man, one city, one mission.

Any additional comments?

Great to hear from Rebus again. Have missed him.
Not sure Siobhan translates well into audio.

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