Doors Open

Ian Rankin
Reagan Arthur Books (2010)
ISBN 9780316024785
Reviewed by Deb Shunamon for Reader Views (05/10)

 

“Doors Open” by Ian Rankin is a fluid, quick read about an art heist that goes wrong. Alongside the predictable story is a great commentary about the people and functioning of the City of Edinburgh, which I really enjoyed. The characters and situations in this book would already be familiar to most readers of crime fiction, but it is because of their clear portrayals that I think Ian Rankin’s books are so popular.

Mike Mackenzie is rich and bored. He and his two friends decide to steal pieces of art not just for their personal enjoyment, but to make a statement about the disappearance of works from the public’s view after collectors purchase them. Why shouldn’t this software business tycoon, professor, and banker have important pieces for themselves as they are more concerned with the pleasure they bring versus their worth. To make it all happen, however, the men need to trust each other as well as a rough character from Mike’s past. The book focuses mainly on Mike’s desires and fears alongside building excitement for the inevitable collision between these newcomers to crime and their seasoned, greedy partner. By the end of the book, double-crosses and arrogance bring about a stark, and deadly, reality-check to more than one participant.

While it was easy to figure out the crime details and conclusion, the book remained interesting because of the character portrayals – and while many of these were stereotypical, they were realistic. The fleshing out of the former schoolyard bully Chib Calloway, for example, was well done. There are few surprises in “Doors Open” by Ian Rankin, but the book is a pleasant piece of escapism, and a good reminder to make sure that anyone’s fantasies about the underworld remain just that.

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