Well, in Ian Rankin short stories, a recurring theme is the moral ambiguity of characters. His characters are not simply black or white. There's also the theme of the search for truth. Detectives or protagonists are often on a journey to uncover the real story behind events. And the theme of the impact of past events on the present is quite common too. Past crimes or relationships can haunt the present situation in his stories.
Ian Rankin's works are often dark. His books and short stories usually involve complex crime plots. The characters, especially in his 'Rebus' series, are multi - dimensional. For example, Rebus himself is a flawed yet endearing character.
One of Ian Rankin's well - known books is the 'Rebus' series. These novels follow the character John Rebus, a complex and often troubled detective. His short stories also offer great insights into his writing style. For example, some of his short stories might focus on the darker side of Edinburgh, just like in his full - length books.
His use of setting. Edinburgh is almost a character in itself in the Rebus short stories. The dark alleys, old buildings, and the general atmosphere of the city add a lot to the mood of the stories.
One of his highly regarded novels is 'Black and Blue'. It has a complex plot with a great sense of place in Edinburgh. The detective Rebus is on the hunt for a serial killer, and Rankin weaves together multiple storylines in a really engaging way.
The order of Ian Rankin's Rebus novels can be a bit tricky to determine for someone new to the series. However, beginning with the earlier ones like 'Strip Jack' is a good start. It gives you an initial taste of Rebus's character, his flaws and his determination. As you progress through the series, you'll see how his character evolves over time, like in 'Fleshmarket Close' where he faces new challenges in his investigations.
Another interesting Rebus short story is 'Playback'. It shows Rebus dealing with some of his personal demons while also trying to solve a case. Rankin uses his typical style of detailed descriptions and sharp dialogue to bring the story to life, and it gives readers a good taste of the Rebus series as a whole.