Ian Rankin
It’s been a while since we gave away a suspense novel (the archives tell me . . . about three months!), and I thought some of you might be itching for a whodunit.
Ian Rankin’s The Complaints is just the ticket—mystery columnist Bruce Tierney says it’s “superb on every level.” Though Rankin is best known for his books starring Detective Inspector John Rebus, I think you’ll be equally drawn to his newest hero, Detective Malcolm Fox.
In a recent Q&A with Rankin, I asked the author to describe The Complaints in one sentence. He said:
The Complaints: An internal affairs cop fights for his job and his sanity in a city on the edge of physical and moral bankrupcy.
Need another reason to pick this one up? How about the vivid Scottish setting, the fast-paced plot or the tense battle of good vs. evil.
Enter to win a copy of The Complaints for yourself by leaving a comment below. In our Q&A, Ranking gave me a great answer when I asked him his “words to live by.” He said: “Words to live by? Words are my life—I love all of them equally.”
What are your words to live by?
ETA: Congrats to Jean, this week’s winner! Contest is now closed.
Love, Live, Laugh out loud. Don’t take things too seriously and remember things will get brighter.
Just one word: forward
Reach for the stars.
The Golden Rule
Live every day to the fullest!
With God – All Things Are Possible
Forgive and forget!
Wherever you go, take a book along!
Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
Life is short–live today
Stay positive- you never would want to trade your problems for someone else’s.
Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it!
Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.
Sit back, read this book, and enter a world of fantasy and delight.
Sorry, I have no original words to live by. So I googled “words to live by” and found this truth. Just remember……..if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
The most important thing you can give someone is a chance.
If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
Looking forward to reading this.
Never say Never!
I have this Teddy Roosevelt quote tacked up by my desk, both at work and at home: “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.”
If all else fails, try chocolate.
Life is life, Fight for it!
Live each day as if it were your last.
Live each day as if it were your last.
delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me…
Enjoy the journey.
Be happy, always!
My words to live by come from Shakespeare himself, “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”
You’ve got a lot of choices. If getting out of bed in the morning is a chore and you’re not smiling on a regular basis, try another choice.
My words to live by are -People plan, God laughs! Don’t take things to seriously because you don’t know what will happen and it isn’t really up to you anyway!!
Live as if today was your last
treat others as you want to be treated
The truth shall set you FREE
I love Rankin’s books.
“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” ~ Michelangelo
Look forward.
And this too shall pass………..
Live simply, so that others may simply live.
Don’t judge a book by its cover.
a coward dies many deaths but the brave die but once
Keep the faith and keep going.
Hubby has been a loyal fan and now we both are. Always try to live everyday to its fullest.for us that usually involves the words in books.
Read, read again, then read something else
If you have integrity, nothing else matters
If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters
Don’t treat people how you want to be treated, treat them how they want to be treated
Never look back!
Words are tools not gods.
Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.
Live every day like it’s your last. Cherish your friends and family.
If in doubt, have a cup of tea
Throw out anything that isn’t useful.
If you need love, take the time and be love. Breathe it out, create love, see how things can turn. – Plus One
Live like your dying.
Words to live by: “Find something you love to do, and then do it everyday.”
Make the best out of today ’cause tomorrow may not come.
An unsent post is a heavy burden.
Omnia mutantur. Nihil interit.
“Everything changes. Nothing is lost.”
Words to live by: I read, write, love and breathe words.
A day without learning anything about anything is an opportunity wasted.
read, Read, READ!!!!!!!!!!
Carpe diem!
Totally looking for a new book to read.
Haven’t read anything in six days. It’s shameful! 
My words: be nice!
Live life to the full always,you never know if tomorrow will come.
Savor everyday by appreciating books, good friends and interesting people.
Let go or get dragged.
Don ‘t put off for tomorrow what you could get done today!
Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
Life often exceeds your expectations, so expect great things.
Always dry between your toes.
It’s going to be a great day
Love Ian’s book, I bet The Complaints is as good as all the other books heas written.
I have dealt with a lot of trouble in my life, most of which never happened.
Take the good, get over the rest.
As an educator, I try to instill my love for reading in my students. It’s not easy, because technology allows for such “shorthand.” My words to live by are the same ones my mother lives by: “Read – to escape, to relax, to imagine, to create.” My Mom is a pretty smart cookie!
As an educator, I try to instill my love for reading in my students. It’s not easy, because technology allows for such “shorthand.” My words to live by are the same ones my mother lives by: “Turn to books – to escape, to relax, to imagine, to create.” My Mom is a pretty smart cookie!
What a great question!
The words I live by come from a funny quote that I could never find the origin of, “as you go throughout life, let this ever be your goal: keep your eye upon the doughnut and not upon the hole.”
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you…may be simplistic but it pays you back a hundred fold.
Also (very important) Pay it forward. I’m a huge believer in Karma.
Be generous in every part of your life; share love, laughter, books, but most of all, your time and complete attention.
Always tell the truth.
Anything worth having is worth working for…
Love, life, laughter.
Live each day like it is your last day!
Don’t let the tail wag the dog.
Live each day as if it were your last, one day it will be.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
Beer: The cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.
Homer, (J Simpson that is)
Where’s my book? Don’t leave home without it!
If you can’t do anything about it, quit moaning and if you can, stop talking about it and just do it. It really is that simple.
Don’t judge me until you have walked a mile in my shoes.
If it ain’t fixed, don’t break it!
never say never and failure is an attitude of mind (and bad planning)
Sometimes the appropriate response to reality is to go insane (Philip K Dick)
Always be a little bit kinder than is necessary. James M. Barrie
Live lightly.
“One’s work may be finished someday, but one’s education never.” – Alexandre Dumas
Life is too short to be miserable, so keep on smiling.
Don’t complain about the storm …learn to dance in the rain!
I have no complaints — I enjoy Ian Rankin’s mysteries very much. I love things Scottish (especially Walkers shortbread).
Words to live by – let me see — A Man’s Reach Should Exceed His Grasp Or What’s A Heaven For…..
if i knew I was going to die in 72 hours i would write for the next 72 hours.
Today’s the day.
Oxygen. I need oxygen. If you could throw in some Hydrogen and a little carbon that’d be nice as well.
Try to do good every day!
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, of course.
“Love thy neighbor as yourself”
Try to laugh or make someone smile every day.
Spend time each day with a wonderful book.
Duck and cover!
Silence is golden
Women who laugh, last.
Don’t take long walks on short piers.
“Knowledge is free at the library. Just bring your own container.”
- Unknown
The Bible is the best book to read and live by everyday.
I could never live without a book in my hands. The smell, the touch, and the feelings they produce make my life all that more special. T.D.
Every day above ground is a good one.
” A book is like a garden carried in one’s pocket.” Unknown
Don’t get into anything you can’t get out of (advice from my father).
My words to live by: Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.
Live each day to its fullest potential
My words to live by: Try your best and have no regret.
Make yourself happy! I’ve found when I’m happy with my circumstances I make others happy, too!
A book is a gift that you can open again and again.
Hold those dear to you close in your heart and mind…make sure they are aware of your fondness for them.
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.’
I was so bummed out when Rebus “retired”. I sure hope we will see him again. I have yet to make an opinion on Malcom Fox. But I enjoyed meeting Ian in Seattle a couple years ago, so I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I certainly enjoyed Doors Open.
I can not live without books
Say what you mean; and mean what you say.
Words to live by: “Why not?”
Daylight Savings Time? There’s a nap for that.
Your freedom ends were my nose begins and vice versa!
Your freedom ends were my nose begins and vice versa!
Whatever will be, will be!
Be kind!
Don’t look back.
Gotta go with “Do unto others…..”
Never give up.
I use “Do unto others…” as it keeps me honest.
“Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing those you hold well.” Josh Billings
I like Louise Penny’s Armand Gamache’s 4 sentences to live by:
I don’t know.
I’m sorry.
I need help.
I was wrong.
Absolutely love this author and his works!!!!!!!!!
Words…. Be careful what you say.. Someday you may have to eat your words
So Many Books, So Little Time!
All words are pegs to hang ideas on.” –Henry Ward Beecher
Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow—
Would love to own a copy of this book.
holy cow! what a great read1
Beam me up, Scotty!
holy cow! what a great read!
If it is to be, it is up to me.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Or use deodorant and don’t sweat anything.
Mysteries add zest to life.
Que sera, sera…
Make wise decisions.
Everyone is accountable for their own actions, thoughts and deeds!
Mine are “What is, is.”
“It is what it is”
This sounds great, have to look out for it!
Who can resist a superb whodunit? Not me. And in Scotland, yet.
Should be a very good read.
Synopsis sounds intriguing. The previous comments intrigue me even more!
Do no harm!
Word to live by – Seriously…can be said in so many ways!
Sun (weather and disposition) always makes things better.
Just going for a couple of Pints.
Cats…Books…Life is Sweet…
The only person you can change is yourself
The shortest way is the road you know.
Will I care about this in 10 years?
Breathe, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Never act your age.
Congrats, Jean! You’re the winner of this contest. An e-mail from me is on the way.
I’m not responsible for the unloving behavior or actions of others; I’m only responsible for MY response to them.
“Take life one day at a time.”
Try to laugh even though you want to cry.
Live each day as if it were your last. If you see the sunrise, you have been blessed.
kiss all the words and make every one count….
If you get up every morning, you’re an optimist.
Life is too short to not enjoy it and do the things that make you happy as long as you are not hurting others.
Treat others as you would like to be treated.
“Don’t use your brake on curves.”
Your old enough for your wants not to hurt.
If you can’t be a good example then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning (from my Scot side!)
If you want something done right, do it yourself!
I would die without books!
It will get better.
How can Ian Rankin equal Rebus? Cannot wait to read and see if he can match the intrigue and withering disregard for authority of his former great detective (actually more human than a detective)…
Live. Laugh. Love.
Please, no ice in my single malt!
Carpe diem – seize the day!
Bloom where you’re planted!
Love Rankin…wait for his Books every year with much anticipation!
Truth alone triumphs