Watchman (novel)
Encyclopedia
Watchman is a 1988 novel
written by Ian Rankin
, and is one of the author's earliest works. Originally published in 1988, it was reissued with a new introduction by Rankin in 2004.
.
After two high profile operations involving Flint are compromised with deadly consequences, he is sent to Belfast
to witness what he believes is going to be the arrest of some Provisional Irish Republican Army
men. However, after accompanying the security forces on their mission, he discovers that what has actually been planned is the assassination
of the Irishmen - and with Flint having come along for the ride, he suddenly realises that his own life is at risk.
As the killings are about to be carried out, Flint stages a daring escape with the aid of one of the Irishmen, Will Collins. Then, on the run, and playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with his own side, Flint and Collins begin to piece together a lethal conspiracy which they ultimately discover goes right to the very core of the British Government.
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
written by Ian Rankin
Ian Rankin
Ian Rankin, OBE, DL , is a Scottish crime writer. His best known books are the Inspector Rebus novels. He has also written several pieces of literary criticism.-Background:He attended Beath High School, Cowdenbeath...
, and is one of the author's earliest works. Originally published in 1988, it was reissued with a new introduction by Rankin in 2004.
Plot summary
The book tells the story of Miles Flint, a surveillance officer who works for MI5MI5
The Security Service, commonly known as MI5 , is the United Kingdom's internal counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of its core intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service focused on foreign threats, Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence...
.
After two high profile operations involving Flint are compromised with deadly consequences, he is sent to Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
to witness what he believes is going to be the arrest of some Provisional Irish Republican Army
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
men. However, after accompanying the security forces on their mission, he discovers that what has actually been planned is the assassination
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
of the Irishmen - and with Flint having come along for the ride, he suddenly realises that his own life is at risk.
As the killings are about to be carried out, Flint stages a daring escape with the aid of one of the Irishmen, Will Collins. Then, on the run, and playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with his own side, Flint and Collins begin to piece together a lethal conspiracy which they ultimately discover goes right to the very core of the British Government.
Connections to other Rankin books
- Journalist Jim Stevens, who appears in this book, first appeared in Knots and CrossesKnots and CrossesKnots and Crosses is a 1987 crime novel by Ian Rankin. It is the first of the Inspector Rebus novels. It was written while Rankin was a postgraduate student at the University of Edinburgh...
, the first Inspector RebusInspector RebusThe Inspector Rebus books are a series of detective novels by the Scottish author Ian Rankin. The novels, centred on the title character Detective Inspector John Rebus, are mostly based in and around Edinburgh.-Content and style:...
book, which ended with him leaving Edinburgh for London; he would go on to return to Scotland in future Rebus books.
Release details
- 1988, UK, Bodley Head (ISBN 0370312082), Pub date ? June 1988, hardback (First edition)
- 2003, UK, OrionOrion Publishing GroupOrion Publishing Group Ltd. is a UK-based book publisher. It is owned by Hachette Livre. In 1998 Orion bought Cassell.-History:Full history of the group can be found on Orion Publishing Group is owned by -Imprints:...
(ISBN 0-75285-003-X), hardcover, (Revised edition, with an introduction by the author) - 2004, UK, Orion (ISBN 0-75285-915-3), Pub date 2 September 2004, paperback (Revised edition)