Ian Rankin Books in Order Rebus Series Reading List

If you are wondering how to read Ian Rankin books in order in the Rebus series, this article answers many frequently answered questions about the books and provides a Rebus series list to guide the reading of the crime novels that have been published to date featuring Scotland's unconventional and often brooding detective, John Rebus.

How Many Rebus Books are There?

There are now 25 thrillers by Ian Rankin in the Rebus series featuring DCI John Rebus, the maverick Edinburgh cop who is determined to catch the villians. Apart from the novels Ian Rankin has also published some short stories featuring Rebus which were published in 2014 under the title: The Beat Goes On: The Complete Rebus Short Stories. Also published by Ian Rankin is John Rebus: A Mysterious Profile which is a deep dive into the Rebus character.

Are Rebus Books Any Good?

Ian Rankin's books in the John Rebus series are definitely worth the effort. While Rebus is not everybody's cup of tea he is a compelling character and a relatable one with his unhealthy lifestyle of hard drinking and living on takeaways. Around 30 million copies of Rebus books have been sold worldwide. Many of the books in the series have been adapted for television too. At a total of 24 books in the series and another due for publication in 2024 Ian Rankin has hit on a formula that works.

Which is the Best Rebus Book to Start With?

Knots and Crosses is Ian Rankin's first Rebus novel so is a good place to start especially if you like to read a series in order. Another option to begin with is his award winning title Black and Blue which won the Crime Writer's Gold Dagger Award in 1997. Bear in mind that Rankin retired Rebus in Exit Music and then revived him in Standing in Another Man's Grave so the earlier Rebus books have a slightly different flavour to the later ones.

Do You Have to Read the Rebus Novels in Order?

Thrillers from Ian Rankin's Rebus series can be read in any order as each is a stand alone crime novel although the recommended reading order is the order of publication. Key characters like Rebus himself and Siobhan Clarke have undergone a lot of character development as the series has progressed making it is more rewarding to read the series in the order it was written.

Ian Rankin Books in Order of Publication Inspector Rebus Series

If you would like to read Ian Rankin books in the order of publication here is an Inspector Rebus series list in reading order:

1. Knots and Crosses (1987)
   
2. Hide and Seek (1990)
   
3. Tooth and Nail (1992)
   
4. Strip Jack (1992)
   
5. The Black Book (1993)
   
6. Mortal Causes (1994)
   
7. Let It Bleed (1995)
   
8. Black and Blue (1997)
   
9. The Hanging Garden (1998)
   
10. Dead Souls (1999)
    
11. Set in Darkness (2000)
    
12. The Falls (2001)
    
13. Resurrection Men (2002)
    
14. A Question of Blood (2003)
    
15. Fleshmarket Close (2005)
    
16. The Naming Of The Dead (2006)
    
17. Exit Music (2007)
    
18. Standing in Another Man's Grave (2012) - Read a review
    
19. Saints of the Shadow Bible (2013)
20. Even Dogs in the Wild (2015)
21. Rather Be the Devil (2017)
22. In a House of Lies (2018)
23. A Song for the Dark Times (2020)
24. A Heart Full of Headstones (2022)
25. Midnight and Blue (2024)

Ian Rankin Books Not Rebus?

Other books by Ian Rankin that are not part of the Rebus Series include:

Malcolm Fox (as Ian Rankin)

1. The Complaints (2009)
2. The Impossible Dead (2011)

Jack Harvey (Ian Rankin Pen Name):

1. Witch Hunt (1993)
2. Bleeding Hearts (1994)
3. Blood Hunt (1995)

Short Interview with Ian Rankin about Saints of the Shadow Bible

Short Ian Rankin Bio

Ian Rankin was born on 28 April 1960 Cardenden, Fife, Scotland. He is considered to be Scotland's foremost contempory writer who apart from his Rebus books has written other crime novels under the pen name of Jack Harvey, the first of which The Flood was published in 1986. He studied English literature at University and began but never finished a PhD in Scottish literature.He is married and has two adult sons. The couple share a penthouse flat in Edinburgh.

When was the Last Rebus Book Published?

The last Rebus book published is A Heart Full of Headstones (2022), Book 24 in the series. Midnight and Blue (Book 25 in the John Rebus Series) is to be published in October 2024. A Song for the Dark Times (Book 23) was published in October 2020. It was preceded by In a House of Lies (Rebus #22) published in 2018.

Is Ian Rankin Writing a New Rebus Book?

It has been reported by Hachette, UK, the publisher of Ian Rankin books that a new Rebus thriller, Midnight and Blue (Rebus #25), is to be launched in October 2024. In 2022 Ian Rankin signed a book deal to produce another two Rebus titles so Midnight and Blue may be the very last Rebus book to be published.

Where is Rebus Set?

Rebus is an Edinburgh-based detective and has no connections to Glasglow. His favorite hangout is the Oxford Bar. Ian Rankin's extensive knowledge of Edinburgh allows him to make use of Edinburgh landmarks to good effect throughout his books. The TV series showed lots of landmarks such as: Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo, Central Library and the Amusement Arcade in Portobello.

Does Rebus Have Family?

When Rebus is introduced in Knots and Crosses (#1 Rebus Series) he is worried about his brother Michael. In the same book he is already separated from his wife Shona. His daughter Samantha (known as Sammy) grows up as the series goes along. In Hanging Garden she is hospitalized after a hit-and-run and put in a wheelchair. In A Song for the Dark Times Samantha's husband is killed and Rebus works to reconcile with both his daughter and granddaughter.

Who are the Love Interests of Rebus in the Series?

Ian Rankin has given Rebus a string of short-term relationships. He has a short affair with his senior officer Gill Templar at the beginning of the series. He has a relationship with museum curator Jean Birchall which spans three novels (The Falls, Resurrection Men and A Question of Blood). In recent books (Rather Be the Devil and A Song for the Dark Times) Rebus is involved with pathologist Deborah Quant.

And in case you are wondering about his relationship with Siobhan Clarke. It is strictly platonic. They have never been lovers.

What Rank is John Rebus?

When we first meet John Rebus in Knots in Crosses he has the rank of Detective Sergeant. He is promoted to the rank of Detective Inspector before the start of Hide and Seek. Later he turns down promotions and continues as a Detective Inspector until he retires in Exit Music.

What Rank is Siobhan Clarke?

Siobhan Clarke, who is first introduced into the Rebus series in The Black Book is ranked Detective Constable. She is promoted to Detective Sargeant some time before Resurrection Men. In Standing in Another Man's Grave she has progressed up the ladder to DCI attached to missing persons.

Who Was the Best Rebus in the Rebus TV Series?

The ITV Rebus TV series first aired in the UK between 2000 and 2007 with four seasons and 14 episodes in all. John Hannah played Rebus in four episodes of the first series thereafter Ken Stott picked up the role as the dour Scotsman for series 2-4. Likewise the Siobhan character was played by two different actors: Gayanne Potter for the first series and then Claire Price for Series 2–4. James Cosmo took the role of Cafferty and Gill Templer is Rebus's short-lived love interest.

The casting of John Hannah in the role of Rebus received a lot of criticism as he was not a close fit with the persona and physical characteristics of Rebus that readers were expecting. He decided to cut his losses after he stated publically that he would not return after being considered a failure in the role (Daily Record). John Hannah's interpretation of the character is considered to be deeper than Stott's even though Ken Stott was a more popular choice.

The Rebus TV series was cancelled after season 4 when Ken Stott stated that he did not want to continue in the role. The whole series is available to stream or buy if you are interested in viewing it.

Is Rebus Coming Back to the Small Screen?

It has been reported that Eleventh Hour Films acquired the rights to the Rebus brand several years ago and that a new screenwriter had been given the brief of creating a new series to cater to a new audience. There have been no reports so far about timeframes of when we can expect the new series but we are keeping our fingers crossed. What was released was a short film in 2020 starring Brian Cox as Rebus which is available to watch free on YouTube.

Summary

This review discusses Ian Rankin books and the Rebus TV series and attempts to answer many common questions asked about these. It includes a list of Ian Rankin books in order (Rebus series) and suggested reading sequence to tackle these.

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