A cocktail party isn’t fairly John Rebus’ regular atmosphere. Certainly not one in a swanky Edinburgh city home. The newly retired Detective Inspector is right here as a plus one to his ‘friend’ lawyer Stephanie Jeffries (Abigail Thaw). Wheeler vendor host Paul Goodwin (Neil McKinven) and his spouse Harriet (Teresa Banham) have staged a homicide thriller sport for the amusement of their friends – perhaps not a lot amusement for Rebus. The fellow dinner friends embrace dodgy on line casino proprietor Jack Fleming (Billy Hartman) and his younger, social media influencer girlfriend Candida Jones (Jade Kennedy).What begins as a sport, ends in an actual homicide.
Having the creator of the unique supply materials as one of many writers ensures the essence of the notorious character isn’t misplaced, he’s merely mellowed barely right here. The surrounding solid of characters too are sufficiently well-drawn, with again tales that give them life. The results of the back-story constructing is a slower burn first act. The motion warms up significantly within the second.
Gray O’Brien is the twenty first actor to step into the sturdy footwear of Ian Rankin’s acclaimed detective and he does so admirably, imbuing the previous codger with attraction and charisma. The supporting solid are of fantastic high quality, every given their moments to shine. Though O’Brien is within the title position, that is really an ensemble piece.
A Game Called Malice has much less of the hallmarks of a traditional Rebus novel and extra of the hallmarks of a traditional British homicide thriller: the motion is confined to at least one room and every visitor has secrets and techniques but to be spilled, some darker than others. This is most positively a extra cosy crime model of Rebus than we’re used to, however it’s a good night’s leisure for a chilly autumn night.
Runs till 28 September | Image: Nobby Clark
