Talk:John Rebus

Article details
Ok, this article has been getting more attention recently. That's good. I think it's time we had a talk page. The article, whilst better than it was a few months ago, is still not up to scratch.

The character section is pretty light and somewhat POVish. I'd suggest a much fuller section (with spoiler tags) explaining Rebus in much more detail. Mention, amongst other things, his childhood in Fife (with dates if possible), his army days, SAS training, marriage, daughter, breakup, subsequent girlfriends, the pubs, the hobbies, the vices, the personal traits, etc. Of course, the endings to the books shouldn't be revealed.

As well as the 'factual' stuff, I'd also suggest a section on the development on the Rebus character, noting, for example, the biographical details he shares with Ian Rankin or differences between the early and later Rebus. This doesn't need to be POV or original research - Rankin's interviews and introductions to the older books provide a wealth of information.

A section on the other recurring characters in the Rebus universe is also essential. Siobhan, Cafferty, the Farmer, Gill Templar, Brian Holmes, Steve Holly, Matthew Vanderhyde etc.

Finally, each book in the series should have its own article, with a spoiler-full summary of the plot and any other important information.

Also added the final book to the list, although I'm not very happy with the formatting. Feel free to change it.--Nydas 19:26, 2 April 2006 (UTC)

SAS training
MdCollins1984 recently expanded the sentence on Rebus's SAS training. IMO, it now goes too far in revealing the plot. The later books don't really dwell on the events described, and anyone reading the books in the wrong order (as I did) wouldn't know about them. Spoiler tags might be an idea.--Nydas 07:28, 22 April 2006 (UTC)

I wondered how far to push the plot, spoiler tags might be an indea - not sure about a summary of every book. I'm reading them in the wrong order having picked a couple at random, it was only when reading the first two I understood the SAS stuff - it doesn't matter, these books are so good that a continuous link isn't necessary. That's why I'm not sure the SAS link 'spoils' a lot esp as it is in the first book. If anyone disagrees, feel free to change it. Mdcollins1984 22:22, 9 May 2006 (UTC)

DVDs
I know it is not wiki related and a bit off topic, but does anyone know why the complete first series is available on DVD in the US, but the uk version only has the first three episodes? Mdcollins1984 22:25, 9 May 2006 (UTC)

Remaining problems with this article

 * 1) The books and the two series of the TV show are separate and should have separate articles.
 * 2) The books are each individually notable enough to have their own articles.

Anybody disagree? Anybody feel like helping? --Guinnog 11:25, 30 May 2006 (UTC)

I'm not sure that every book needs an article... maybe Fleshmarket Close could... The TV Section could be extracted... Mdcollins1984 14:43, 30 May 2006 (UTC) TV section extracted to Rebus (TV) - needs lots of work Mdcollins1984 15:02, 30 May 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks, well done. You are right; all the Rankin articles need work. He is a very notable writer and his work sells well. --Guinnog 17:05, 30 May 2006 (UTC)
 * Yes, well done. I also agree that each Rebus book should have an article about it. Oh, and there should probably be a picture or two on this article.--Nydas 18:29, 30 May 2006 (UTC)
 * I'll get right onto it. I'll get some pics first, and then I'll redlink the books. I'll start making the stubs tonight and finish by the end of the week. --Guinnog 21:07, 30 May 2006 (UTC)
 * I've done the first ten, and would welcome any criticism but especially some help in expanding the articles. --Guinnog 21:46, 31 May 2006 (UTC)

I've done the two others I have on my shelf at the moment, lots of expansion needed. They may be from the 'old' editions therefore the new ISBN and page numbers may be different. Mdcollins1984 23:14, 31 May 2006 (UTC) Also wondering whether, if this is being expandly a lot, the characters themselves deserve their own page, thus extracting all information of the books, titles and background to Rebus or Inspector Rebus Novels, or somesuch, leaving the DI J Rebus page for the character itself... What do you all think? Mdcollins1984 23:20, 31 May 2006 (UTC)
 * Agreed. Non-exhaustive list of articles we should create:


 * Patience Aitken
 * Michael Rebus
 * Dr Curt
 * Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke - Siobhan Clarke redirects there (page created)
 * 'Farmer' Watson
 * Brian Holmes
 * Detective Chief Inspector Gill Templer - Gill Templer redirect (page created)

Well done for the good work btw.

--Guinnog 06:59, 1 June 2006 (UTC) Thanks - you too! Don't forget... Mdcollins1984 10:48, 1 June 2006 (UTC)
 * 'Big Ger' Cafferty (page created)
 * How could I forgeet Big Ger! Also,


 * Tommy Telford
 * George Flight (the London detective)
 * 'Fart' Lauderdale
 * 'Hiho' Silvers
 * Samantha Rebus

I suppose we have to draw the line somewhere; what about assigning them in priority order? --Guinnog 12:59, 1 June 2006 (UTC)


 * I would suggest a seperate article for minor Rebus characters to start with. If there's enough information about a particular one, we can spin it off. --Nydas 18:42, 1 June 2006 (UTC)


 * As for priority, I'd suggest that we should limit ourselves to those that have made substantial appearances in more than one book i.e. recurring characters. Any one-book characters (and there are hundreds) can be dealt with in the book page. So, no Tommy Telford and George Flight. Also:


 * Derek Linford
 * Steve Holly
 * The Weasel (could be combined with Big Ger)
 * Ormiston and Claverhouse (one article because they're a team)
 * Matthew Vanderhyde
 * ACC Carswell
 * Grant Hood
 * Bobby Hogan
 * Ellen Wylie

There are loads and loads of them. Siobhan and Cafferty are probably the most urgent cases, IMO. --Nydas 19:27, 1 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Agree on all points. Flight actually (I think) appears in two or maybe three of the book, am I wrong? Also, what is the name of the priest Rebus befriends early in the series? He seems a big influence early on... --Guinnog 19:31, 1 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Rebus talks to Flight on the phone at some point, I think. The priest... *checks Mortal Causes* ... Father Leary.--Nydas 20:08, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

I've created pages for Siobhan, Big Ger and Gill Templer, but not added any real information. I've also added links to all characters mentioned in the book preces, and altered the series links to Inspector Rebus, from Detective Inspector John Rebus.

Mdcollins1984 00:52, 3 June 2006 (UTC)
 * Should this page be moved to Inspector Rebus?

Spit info into new article
I've extracted all book information to Inspector Rebus leaving this page for Rebus's character. Mdcollins1984 11:24, 1 June 2006 (UTC)


 * A sensible edit- the original direction of this page was to focus purely on Rebus as a character, somewhere along the way it got polluted with irrelevanies, and now it is back as it should be.--Fergie 12:07, 1 June 2006 (UTC)
 * I agree, although I have some slight issues now with the relative visibilty of the three articles. A disambig page, anyone? --Guinnog 12:56, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

Naming
My wiki-instincts tell me this should probably be just John Rebus. We don't usually use job titles in article names, do we?--Nydas 19:15, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Raith Rovers
I've heard that Rebus is a Raith Rovers' fan, not Hearts. Is this true? Millbanks 07:50, 12 July 2007 (UTC)


 * I can't remember either way. In fact, I don't think that he's ever expressed a football preference.-- Nydas (Talk) 20:32, 12 July 2007 (UTC)

Hearts?????? You mean HIBS!!!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 172.200.77.44 (talk) 19:30, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

No, I don't mean Hibs. That's only in the television series, where they also portray Rebus as a Roman Catholic, whereas in the books he is Protestant. My attempts to find out whether this was done with Ian Rankin's permission came to nothing. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 213.94.239.29 (talk) 13:30, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

See Raith Rovers supporters, and thus, second paragraph. Mutt Lunker (talk) 20:35, 1 February 2008 (UTC)


 * Actually the reference cited here, and at the Raith Rovers says that it is Michael who is the beloved Raith Rovers fan (his coffin was draped in the colours...). Rebus is making a joke at his brother's side. I'm off to amend the offending information there. –MDCollins (talk) 02:42, 2 February 2008 (UTC)

Fair enough. Mutt Lunker (talk) 10:54, 2 February 2008 (UTC)

In one of the collection of short stories Rebus is given as a Heart of Mid-Lothian supporter. 22:20, 3 February 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.40.102.119 (talk)
 * Hmm, I wondered about Hearts. I remember John/Siobhan talking football. I'll try and have a hunt in the shorts, but it's not that crucial to his character is it! –MDCollins (talk) 00:45, 4 February 2008 (UTC)

Not crucial is correct. I believe that it is written that one of Rebus's boyhood friends Miles Skelly has gone to a different school to Rebus and become a Hibs fan. In Resurrection Men he is questioned by a Rangers supporting Glaswegian detective as to whether he is a Rangers fan and when Rebus does not reply he is asked is he a Hearts fan. Not important in character but there to move the plot along. 11:59, 6 February 2008 (UTC)

A Good Hanging features the character mentioned in the above paragraph. 18:11, 8 February 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.43.110.186 (talk)

The Black Book has Rebus going with Siobahn to Aberdeen. She is going to the Hibs game whereas he is visiting his Aunt Ena. This book also has him going to a Roman Catholic confessional where the priest deduces that Rebus is a Calvinist. 11:44, 3 May 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.43.110.186 (talk)

http://www.palmerstonplacechurch.com/ is the name of a church Rebus attended. 12:43, 25 May 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 62.40.48.234 (talk)

Set In Darkness features Siobhan giving Rebus a Hibs book as a present. This would have been an in joke between the pair and not an admission that Rebus is a Hibs fan. Perhaps this is where some of the confusion comes from 17:55, 30 December 2008 (UTC) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.43.110.186 (talk)

I watched a fairly recent interview with Rankin. He said that Rebus does not support any team in his books, and he is always getting asked why the TV Rebus is a Hibs fan. He himself (if I interpreted his mutter correctly) is a Raith Rovers fan. Siobhan is Hibs in the book just because most of the police support Hearts and it's a small way of flicking them off. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Judys (talk • contribs) 05:28, 11 August 2022 (UTC)

External links modified
Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just added archive links to 1 one external link on Detective Inspector John Rebus. Please take a moment to review my edit. If necessary, add after the link to keep me from modifying it. Alternatively, you can add to keep me off the page altogether. I made the following changes:
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/20060513085301/http://www.sundayherald.com/54447 to http://www.sundayherald.com/54447

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