Ian Rankin Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts

Ian Rankin

Little, Brown, Nov 2006, $24.99

ISBN 0316009121

British assassin Michael "Demolition Man" Weston is setting up for his next kill, London TV journalist Eleanor Ricks though he has no idea who employed his services. However, he also knows that American private investigator Hoffer is seeking Weston. In the States Weston wrongfully murdered the wrong young girl; the father has retained Hoffer to bring Weston back to Texas for Lone Star justice.

Weston completes his mission successfully with his sniping hitting his victim's heart, but realizes something went wrong as the London police almost catch him for the Ricks kill as his explosive diversion failed. He escapes, but they hunt him. He wonders if Hoffer set him up or if his client did. Concluding that he must uncover the identity of his last employer, Weston follows clues that take him back to Texas where an illegal weapons dealer is arranging a big pay off even as the professional hitman knows high noon is coming soon.

This is a reprint of an early Ian Rankin antihero thriller with no Rebus anywhere in sight. The exciting story line is at its complex best when Weston is stalking and being stalked simultaneously, but loses some of its suspense when the confrontation occurs. Fans of Ian Rankin will want to read this different type of thriller than his usual Rebus investigations.

Harriet Klausner