Some notable rebus crime novels include 'The Maltese Falcon' by Dashiell Hammett. This novel is a cornerstone of the crime genre, with its hard - boiled detective and convoluted plot. 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier can also be considered in this category. It has an air of mystery and a sense of unease throughout. 'The Postman Always Rings Twice' by James M. Cain is another one. It's a story of passion and crime, with a simple yet effective plot that keeps readers hooked.
One popular rebus crime novel is 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. It combines mystery elements with historical and intellectual depth. Another is 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn, which has a complex plot full of twists and turns. And 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson also stands out, with its dark and engaging mystery.
One popular rebus detective novel is 'The Da Vinci Code'. It involves a lot of puzzles and codes that the protagonist has to decipher, much like in a rebus. Another is 'Sherlock Holmes' series. Holmes is constantly solving mysteries by piecing together various clues which can be seen as a form of rebus - decoding the hidden meaning in the evidence.
One well - known rebus novel is 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. It contains various puzzles and symbolic elements that are like rebuses throughout the story.
Probably 'Exit Music'. It's a very popular one as it ties up some loose ends in Rebus's story in a very satisfying way.
'The Falls' is also highly regarded. It involves a serial killer case and Rebus's tenacious investigation. The novel delves deep into the psyche of the characters, both the killer and Rebus himself. The dark and gritty nature of the story is typical of the series, making it a must - read for fans of detective novels.
Agatha Christie is a very well - known author of crime novels that often have elements of rebus. Her works like 'Murder on the Orient Express' and 'And Then There Were None' are famous for their intricate plots and clever solutions. Another is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, with his Sherlock Holmes series. Holmes' deductive reasoning is a key part of solving the rebus - like mysteries.
A lesser - known rebus novel might be 'House of Leaves' by Mark Z. Danielewski. The unique formatting of the text, with footnotes that seem to lead to other footnotes, and the use of different fonts and page layouts all create a rebus - like experience. The story itself is also full of puzzles and strange elements that make the reader work hard to piece together the narrative, much like solving a complex rebus.
Well, in Ian Rankin's Rebus novels, one characteristic is the intricate plotting. The stories keep you guessing until the end. Regarding the 'long shadows' part, it might imply that the past actions of characters, like Rebus's own past mistakes or the history of the city, constantly influence the current investigations. And the setting of Edinburgh is almost like another character, with its alleys and different social strata adding depth to the novels.
One of the best rebus novels could be 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. It has elements that are like a rebus in the way it weaves together historical facts, symbols, and mystery. The various clues and symbols throughout the book are like pieces of a rebus puzzle that the reader has to put together to understand the full story.
Rebus novels often use pictures, symbols or visual elements to convey parts of the story or certain meanings. For example, a picture of a heart might represent love in the context of the novel. These elements add an extra layer of intrigue and creativity to the storytelling process.
The 2016 crime novel 'IQ' by Joe Ide is quite notable. It features a brilliant but unorthodox private investigator in East Long Beach. The story is filled with action, mystery, and offers a unique look at the underbelly of the city through the eyes of a very engaging protagonist.