Knots & Crosses is the first novel in the inspector Rebus series. First published in 1987, it tells the story of Inspector Rebus investigating a series of abductions and murders of young girls.
Synopsis[]
'And in Edinburgh of all places. I mean, you never think of that sort of thing happening in Edinburgh, do you...?'
That sort of thing is the brutal abduction and murder of two young girls. And now a third is missing, presumably gone to the same sad end. Detective Sergeant John Rebus, smoking and drinking too much, his own young daughter spirited away south by his disenchanted wife, is one of many policemen hunting the killer. And then the messages begin to arrive: knotted string and matchstick crosses - taunting Rebus with pieces of a puzzle only he can solve.
Timeline[]
Characters (In order of appearence)[]
- Gordon Reeve
- Mary Andrews
- John Rebus
- Michael Rebus
- Chrissie Rebus
- McGregor Campbell
- Jimmy (desk sergeant)
- Jim Stevens
- Tom (barman)
- Sandra Adams
- William Anderson
- DCS Wallace
- Jack Morton
- Inspector Gemmill
- Inspector Hartley
- Cathy Jackson
- Tom Jameson
- Andy Fleming
- Gill Templer
- Big Podeen
- Samantha Rebus
- Rhona Phillips
- Nicola Turner
- Una Slocum
- Bingo hall woman
- Helen Abbot
- Andrew Anderson
- Michael Eiser
- Jock Laidlaw
- Activist Student
- Simpson (security guard)