Monday, March 23, 2020

TONY'S BOOK REVIEW: Ian Rankin's 'Bleeding Hearts' Brings You Deep Into an Assassin's World

Just like in my taste for movies, action thrillers don't usually rank high up even in the books I read. However, once in a while, I try to experiment with writers popular in that genre and see if I like what I read.
I did with Ben Elton last year, who writes with a comedic touch. This year, I am trying Ian Ranking, whose novels I see all over the second hand shops which I visit every week.
So this time, I chose Bleeding Hearts and I am happy to say that Mr. Rankin did not disappoint. In this story, you are sucked into the world of assassins and hired mercenaries and shady government figures and dubious cult leaders peddling redemption.
Put that all in and an assassinated journalist, and you get a wild tale that brings you all over England, from London to Yorkshire, then to America, from New York to Oregon, reaching up to that slice of peninsula where the slam bang ending happens.
I like the way Rankin writes his characters. Each one is pretty defined and these are characters you do not want to meet at any point of your life.
If you happen to crisscross with their paths, you will most likely end dead.
As a whole, it's a very fast and entertaining read. I don't usually like parts where authors talk about guns but Rankin makes it palatable, especially to those whose gun knowledge is zero.
He distinctly differentiates each one and their power, so we the reader, can appreciate their damage. This is after all, a story about an assassin.
This one was a fast read for me, although I did not quite like the ending because it was too much ado about nothing. There is a twist in the end which kinda throws you off and makes you think - so all those shootings and killings from page whatever to whatever were just a waste of time?
I have other Rankin novels in my collection and I will most likely read one after I read a depressing novel. His writing is not only snappy, it also perks you up, and if your imagination is as strong as mine - be ready for a wild ride!

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