This native of Edinburgh, Scotland has written a dozen or so crime novels set in his home town. My interest arose by reason of residing in Edinburgh as a student and having some knowledge of the nature and whereabouts of the Edinburgh suburbs he mentions. His writing is not that good and yet he is very popular. No doubt crime is a popular topic but I guess I am not really into crime. Having read a sample I had not intended to pursue this writer. However, as I disposed of this book to my sister, she responded by giving me a volume containing two more novels by Ian Rankin.