Ian Rankin Books in Order

Ian Rankin is a Scottish crime author best known for the Inspector Rebus series, and as contributor to the tartan noir genre.

This page lists all Ian Rankin books in order, including the series, standalone novels, and books written under pen names, organized primarily by publication order.

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Inspector Rebus Series (Books in Order)

The Inspector Rebus series follows a detective inspector with the Edinburgh police as he investigates serious crimes across the country.

Publication Order

  1. Knots & Crosses (#1), 1987
  2. Hide And Seek (#2),  1990
  3. Tooth And Nail (#3), 1992
  4. Strip Jack (#4), 1992
  5. The Black Book (#5), 1993
  6. Mortal Causes (#6),  1994
  7. Let It Bleed (#7), 1995
  8. Black And Blue (#8), 1997
  9. The Hanging Garden (#9), 1998
  10. Dead Souls (#10), 1999
  11. Death Is Not the End (#10.5), 1998
  12. Set In Darkness (#11), 2000
  13. The Falls (#12), 2001
  14. Resurrection Men (#13), 2002
  15. Beggar’s Banquet (#13.5), 1998
  16. A Question of Blood (#14), 2003
  17. Fleshmarket Close (#15), 2004
  18. The Naming of the Dead (#16), 2006
  19. Exit Music (#17), 2007
  20. Standing in Another Man’s Grave (#18), 2012
  21. Saints of the Shadow Bible (#19), 2013
  22. In the Nick of Time: John Rebus vs. Roy Grace (#19.5), 2014
  23. Even Dogs in the Wild (#20), 2015
  24. Rather Be the Devil (#21), 2017
  25. In a House of Lies (#22), 2018
  26. Long Shadows (#22.5), 2018
  27. A Song For The Dark Times ( #23), 2020
  28. A Heart Full of Headstones (#24), 2022
  29. Midnight and Blue (#25), 2024

Malcolm Fox Series (Books in Order

The Malcolm Fox series follows a police officer working in internal affairs in Edinburgh who uncovers misconduct and corruption within the force.

Publication Order

  1. The Complaints (#1), 2009
  2. The Impossible Dead (#2), 2011
  3. Standing In Another Man’s Grave (#3, Inspector Rebus #18), 2012
  4. Saints Of The Shadow Bible (#4, Inspector Rebus #19), 2013

Other Series Contributions

Collaborations

Standalone Novels

Novellas & Short Stories

Short Story Collections and Anthologies

Stage Plays

Graphic Novels

Non-Fiction Books

Books Written as Jack Harvey

Ian Rankin Biography

Ian Rankin

Ian Rankin is a Scottish author whose work includes crime novels, short stories, non-fiction, and novels written under pen names. He has published 30+ books since his 1986 debut, The Flood.
Official website: ianrankin.net

Born in 1960 in Cardenden, Fife in Scotland, Sir James Ian Rankin studied English literature at the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated in 1982.

Before becoming a full-time writer, he held a variety of jobs, including being a taxman, journalist, alcohol researcher, college secretary, as well as a punk musician. He was also a university professor.

Ian Rankin published his first novel, The Flood, in 1986, followed by Knots & Crosses, in 1987. These books introduced Detective Inspector John Rebus, which would become his main series and add a major contribution to the Scottish Tartan Noir genre. The series established him as one of the main authors in contemporary Scottish crime fiction.

Besides the Rebus books, Ian Rankin has also written the Malcolm Fox series, standalone novels, short stories, non-fiction works, stage plays, as well as thrillers under the pseudonym Jack Harvey.

He currently lives in Edinburgh and writes full-time.

Ian Rankin Book Adaptations

  • Inspector Rebus series – adapted into the television series Rebus (2000-2007)
  • Inspector Rebus series – adapted into the television series Rebus (2024)
  • Open Doors – adapted into the ITV television film Open Doors (2008)

Ian Rankin Awards and Honors

Major Awards

  • Black and Blue – CWA Gold Dagger (1997)
  • Resurrection Men – Edgar Award for Best Novel (2004)
  • CWA Diamond Dagger (2005)
  • The Naming of the Dead – BCA Crime Thriller of the Year (2007)

Awards (Full List)

Show all awards +

  • Black and Blue – CWA Gold Dagger (1997)
  • Resurrection Men – Edgar Award for Best Novel (2004)
  • CWA Diamond Dagger (2005)
  • The Naming of the Dead – BCA Crime Thriller of the Year (2007)
  • Exit Music – CrimeFest: Sounds of Crime Award (2008)
  • Doors Open – CrimeFest: Sounds of Crime Award (2009)
  • British Book Award for Outstanding Achievement (2012)
  • Standing in Another Man’s Grave – CrimeFest: Sounds of Crime Award (2013)
  • A Song for the Dark Times – CrimeFest: eDunnit Award (2021)
  • Theakston Old Peculier Outstanding Contribution Award (2021)
  • The Dark Remains: Laidlaw’s First Case – British Book Award for Crime and Thriller Book of the Year (2022)

Nominations and Shortlists

Show all nominations +

  • A Deep Hole – Anthony Award for Best Short Story (1995)
  • Black and Blue – Edgar Award for Best Novel (1998)
  • Dead Souls – CWA Gold Dagger (1999)
  • The Hanging Garden – Barry Award for Best Novel (1999)
  • The Falls – Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel (2002)
  • A Question of Blood – Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller (2004)
  • A Question of Blood – Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (2005)
  • Fleshmarket Close – Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (2006)
  • Exit Music – BCA Crime Thriller of the Year (2008)
  • Exit Music – Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (2009)
  • The Complaints – CrimeFest: Sounds of Crime Award (2010)
  • Doors Open – Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (2010)
  • The Impossible Dead – Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (2012)
  • Standing in Another Man’s Grave – McIlvanney Prize (2013)
  • Standing in Another Man’s Grave – Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (2014)
  • Standing in Another Man’s Grave – Macavity Award for Best Novel (2014)
  • Standing in Another Man’s Grave – Edgar Award for Best Novel (2014)
  • Standing in Another Man’s Grave – Barry Award for Best Novel (2014)
  • Saints of the Shadow Bible – Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (2015)
  • Saints of the Shadow Bible – Edgar Award for Best Novel (2015)
  • Even Dogs in the Wild – McIlvanney Prize (2016)
  • Even Dogs in the Wild – CrimeFest: Sounds of Crime Award (2016)
  • Rather Be the Devil – Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (2017)
  • Rather Be the Devil – McIlvanney Prize (2017)
  • Rather Be the Devil – CrimeFest: eDunnit Award (2017)
  • Even Dogs in the Wild – Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (2017)
  • In a House of Lies – McIlvanney Prize (2019)
  • In a House of Lies – CrimeFest: Sounds of Crime Award (2019)
  • In a House of Lies – British Book Award for Crime and Thriller Book of the Year (2019)
  • A Song for the Dark Times – Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year (2021)
  • A Song for the Dark Times – CrimeFest: Sounds of Crime Award (2021)
  • A Song for the Dark Times – British Book Award for Crime and Thriller Book of the Year (2021)
  • A Heart Full of Headstones – McIlvanney Prize (2023)
  • A Heart Full of Headstones – Macavity Award for Best Novel (2023)
  • A Heart Full of Headstones – CrimeFest: eDunnit Award (2023)
  • The Rise – Edgar Award for Best Short Story (2024)
  • Midnight and Blue – McIlvanney Prize (2025)
  • Midnight and Blue – Barry Award for Best Novel (2025)

Edited by

Marika

Founder of Mystery Sequels, a reference site focused on listing mystery and thriller books in the correct reading order. I maintain and update the site’s bibliographies as new titles are released, ensuring accuracy and consistency across author and series pages.

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2 Comments

  1. Recently watched the tv programme MURDER ISLAND and had a go at trying to solve the mystery. I found it compelling viewing an a new slant on a murder mystery. I did enjoy watching the episodes and hope there will be more like this from this author. the plot could be expanded as the other threads were also very interesting and misleading. Although I did get some of the clues right, I did not get the right person who was ultimately arrested. more like this on TV please? just wonder if this tv would subsequently be a book.

  2. As a semi-huge James Patterson fan, I recently discovered the Vera series which led me to a new author to discover, Ann Cleaves, which led me here. Will see what our local little library has to offer for both authors. Love exploring other lands and peoples – I could wander forever. Thank you for what I’m about to explore!

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