Mortal Causes by Ian Rankin (Paperback)

During the Edinburgh Festival, a young man is found tortured and murdered. His body carries marks linking him to violent groups operating on both sides of the border. Inspector John Rebus must determine whether the killing is a message, a warning or part of a deeper conflict.

The victim’s father is a known figure with a history tied to extreme movements. Rebus digs into that past, trying to understand whether old grudges have resurfaced. The investigation pulls him into a network of gangs, political tensions and long-standing feuds that mix ideology with personal revenge.

Rebus works through misleading stories and conflicting motives. Each lead pushes him closer to people who want old wars kept alive. As the case widens, Rebus is forced to confront the role that anger, loyalty and fear play in shaping violent acts.

Set during one of Edinburgh’s busiest seasons, the city becomes a stage where tourists, locals and hidden groups collide. Rebus moves through the noise searching for clear answers in a case full of blurred lines.
Mortal Causes explores dangerous loyalties, buried resentment and the cost of violence passed down through generations.