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.
One of the highly regarded John Rebus novels is 'Knots and Crosses'. It sets the tone for the series with its gritty portrayal of Edinburgh and the complex character of Rebus.
The novel 'A Question of Blood' is quite good too. It has a unique storyline where Rebus has to deal with some very difficult situations. The way the author writes about Rebus' thought processes makes it an interesting read.
There is also Siobhan Clarke, who often works alongside Rebus. She brings a different perspective to the investigations and has her own strengths as a detective. Their relationship, which is sometimes tense and other times collaborative, is an interesting aspect of the novels.
'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.
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.