On Breakfast Time this morning, Ian Rankin announced DS Rebus's retirement from the force and possibly his books.

To me a lover of Rankin's Rebus this is a shame as he brings Edinburgh and Scotland to life, tourists flock on Rebus walking tours.

I feel that policemen and women should retire at the same age as the rest of us.

I'll miss Rebus brings me closer to Scotland.

Given the stress of the job I've no problem with policemen or women retiring younger than the rest of us.

Nairnite wrote:
I feel that policemen and women should retire at the same age as the rest of us.

I don't have a problem with retiring after 25 years service but their pension seems unusually generous. The rest of us should be able to contribute more tax free if we wanted to get more when we retire.

Nairnite wrote:
On Breakfast Time this morning, Ian Rankin announced DS Rebus's retirement from the force and possibly his books.

To me a lover of Rankin's Rebus this is a shame as he brings Edinburgh and Scotland to life, tourists flock on Rebus walking tours.

I feel that policemen and women should retire at the same age as the rest of us.

No, I'm not!

Seriously though, I enjoy the Rankin/Rebus books as it seems to be written from the perspective of an un-politically correct old fart of a detective Inspector with his heart in the right place - a Scottish "Frost" if you will. When will we see his like again (are you reading this, Chief Super )?

As to retirement age I agree - Rebus should continue - but I'm still going to hand in my warrant card at 60 (if I get there, God willing )

OK - the wife bought me the book in question and I'm a couple of chapters in. It starts with Rebus "tying up loose ends" with a number of days to go before retirement....

I'll let you all know my opinion on it when I've finished (without spoiling the story for anyone, of course ) - it'll be sad to see him go...like losing an old friend.

Oh, and by the way - it's called "Exit Music"

Rankin's intentions were always to have the Rebus story to end around now... he wrote the character in "real time" with him being born in 1947 so Rebus was already 40 when the first book was published! The only thing he didn't know (according to a recent TV documentary) was how the series would end - retirement or death! I guess the former was always the most likely option!

Anyway, now I guess I better start reading the books... only 20 years to catch up on!

Well, that's it finished, and it's the same standard as it's predecessors - excellent!

I think that there's still some mileage in Rebus - perhaps "The Early Years" might be a suggestion?

A good read - I can recommend it to the floor!