Ian Rankin

MysteryCrime FictionThrillerPolice Procedural

Biography

Ian Rankin is a highly acclaimed Scottish author best known for his Inspector Rebus series of crime novels. Born in 1960 in Fife, Scotland, Rankin studied English literature at the University of Edinburgh before working a variety of odd jobs, including grape picking and swineherding, before finding success as a writer. Rankin's debut novel, "Knots and Crosses," featuring the iconic character Detective Inspector John Rebus, was published in 1987 and marked the beginning of a prolific and celebrated writing career. Over the years, Rankin has written numerous best-selling novels in the Inspector Rebus series, garnering critical acclaim and a dedicated fan following. Rankin's work is known for its gritty realism, complex characters, and compelling storytelling, capturing the dark side of Edinburgh and delving into themes of crime, corruption, and morality. His novels have won multiple awards, including the coveted Gold Dagger Award and the Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement. Ian Rankin continues to write and publish gripping crime fiction, captivating readers around the world with his masterful storytelling and unforgettable characters.

Inspector Rebus

Books in the Inspector Rebus series by Ian Rankin

  • A Question of Blood: An Inspector Rebus Novel
  • Dead Souls: An Inspector Rebus Novel
  • Death Is Not the End: An Inspector Rebus Novella )
  • Resurrection Men : An Inspector Rebus Novel
  • Resurrection Men: An Inspector Rebus Novel
  • Set in Darkness: An Inspector Rebus Novel )
  • The Falls : An Inspector Rebus Novel
  • The Falls: An Inspector Rebus Novel
  • The Hanging Garden: An Inspector Rebus Novel

Standalone Novels

Individual novels by Ian Rankin not part of a series

  • A Good Hanging
  • A Good Hanging: Short Stories
  • A Question of Blood
  • Beggar's Banquet
  • Black and Blue
  • Bleeding Hearts
  • Blutschuld. Ein Inspector- Rebus- Roman.
  • Das zweite Zeichen.
  • Dead Souls
  • Der kalte Hauch der Nacht.
  • Ehrensache.
  • Hanging Garden
  • Hide and Seek
  • Knots and Crosses
  • Let It Bleed
  • Mortal Causes
  • Puppenspiel.
  • Resurrection Men
  • Set in Darkness
  • Strip Jack
  • The Black Book
  • The Falls
  • The Hanging Garden
  • Tooth and Nail
  • Verborgene Muster / Das zweite Zeichen. Zwei Romane in einem Band.
  • Verborgene Muster.
  • Witch Hunt :
  • Wolfsmale.

John Rebus

Books in the John Rebus series by Ian Rankin

  • LET IT BLEED : A John Rebus Mystery

Classic Series

The series that started it all

  • Knots and Crosses
  • Hide and Seek
  • Tooth and Nail

Recent Series

Latest works by the author

  • Strip Jack
  • The Falls
  • Exit Music

Reading Order

Complete reading order for Ian Rankin's books

1Inspector Rebus
2Standalone Novels
3John Rebus

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Inspector Rebus series by Ian Rankin?

There are 23 novels in the Inspector Rebus series by Ian Rankin.

What is the first book in the Inspector Rebus series?

The first book in the Inspector Rebus series is 'Knots and Crosses', published in 1987.

Is Ian Rankin still writing books in the Inspector Rebus series?

Yes, Ian Rankin is still writing books in the Inspector Rebus series.

Has any of Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus books been adapted for TV or film?

Yes, the Inspector Rebus series has been adapted for TV with actor Ken Stott portraying the character.

What genre does Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus series fall into?

The Inspector Rebus series by Ian Rankin falls into the genre of crime fiction.