Ian Rankin
15
Book Series
80
Total Books
📚 Where to Start?
Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books
Best for beginners - Start with "Knots and Crosses" (1987)
Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Short Stories/Novellas
Popular choice - Start with "A Good Hanging" (1992)
Publication Order of Jack Harvey Books
Popular choice - Start with "Witch Hunt" (1993)
Publication Order of Malcolm Fox Books
Popular choice - Start with "The Complaints" (2009)
About the Author
Ian Rankin’s work is now appearing in university literature departments, as modern examples of complex crime fictional works. Rankin makes annual appearances on the BBC’s Newsnight Review. In 2013, Rankin made his play writing debut with, Dark Road, which debut in Lyceum Theatre in September, 2013. In his down time, Rankin has also been spotted in Edinburgh’s Oxford Bar, a bar visited by his fictional detective Inspector Rebus. Ian Rankin is the author of over 80 books across 15 series. Their most famous work is the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series, which has garnered millions of readers worldwide. With such a prolific career, Ian Rankin has established themselves as one of the most influential authors in contemporary fiction.
Book Series in Publication Order
Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books
25 books
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Knots and Crosses The Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series continues with 'Knots and Crosses', another thrilling entry from Ian Rankin.(1987) ⭐ Start here
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Hide and Seek The Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series continues with 'Hide and Seek', another thrilling entry from Ian Rankin.(1991) ⭐ Start here
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Tooth and Nail / Wolfman 'Tooth and Nail / Wolfman' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series, set in the world Ian Rankin has created.(1992) ⭐ Start here
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Strip Jack The Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series continues with 'Strip Jack', another thrilling entry from Ian Rankin.(1992) ⭐ Start here
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The Black Book In 'The Black Book', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books saga.(1993) ⭐ Start here
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Mortal Causes Join the adventure in 'Mortal Causes' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series by Ian Rankin.(1994) ⭐ Start here
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Let It Bleed Join the adventure in 'Let It Bleed' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series by Ian Rankin.(1995) ⭐ Start here
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Black and Blue The Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series continues with 'Black and Blue', another thrilling entry from Ian Rankin.(1997) ⭐ Start here
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The Hanging Garden 'The Hanging Garden' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series, set in the world Ian Rankin has created.(1998) ⭐ Start here
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Dead Souls In 'Dead Souls', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series by Ian Rankin.(1999) ⭐ Start here
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Set in Darkness In 'Set in Darkness', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books saga.(2000) ⭐ Start here
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The Falls The Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series continues with 'The Falls', another thrilling entry from Ian Rankin.(2001) ⭐ Start here
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Resurrection Men The Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series continues with 'Resurrection Men', another thrilling entry from Ian Rankin.(2002) ⭐ Start here
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A Question of Blood In 'A Question of Blood', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books saga.(2003) ⭐ Start here
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Fleshmarket Alley / Fleshmarket Close In 'Fleshmarket Alley / Fleshmarket Close', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books saga.(2004) ⭐ Start here
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The Naming of the Dead In 'The Naming of the Dead', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series by Ian Rankin.(2006) ⭐ Start here
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Exit Music In 'Exit Music', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books saga.(2007) ⭐ Start here
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Standing in Another Man's Grave 'Standing in Another Man's Grave' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series, set in the world Ian Rankin has created.(2012) ⭐ Start here
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Saints of the Shadow Bible Join the adventure in 'Saints of the Shadow Bible' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series by Ian Rankin.(2013) ⭐ Start here
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Even Dogs in the Wild Join the adventure in 'Even Dogs in the Wild' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series by Ian Rankin.(2015) ⭐ Start here
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Rather Be the Devil Experience the magic of 'Rather Be the Devil' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books universe.(2016) ⭐ Start here
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In a House of Lies Join the adventure in 'In a House of Lies' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series by Ian Rankin.(2018) ⭐ Start here
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A Song for the Dark Times In 'A Song for the Dark Times', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books saga.(2020) ⭐ Start here
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A Heart Full of Headstones 'A Heart Full of Headstones' explores themes of love and relationships in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series by Ian Rankin.(2022) ⭐ Start here
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Midnight and Blue Experience the magic of 'Midnight and Blue' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books universe.(2024) ⭐ Start here
Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Short Stories/Novellas
5 books
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A Good Hanging In 'A Good Hanging', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Short Stories/Novellas saga.(1992)
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Death is Not the End In 'Death is Not the End', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Short Stories/Novellas series by Ian Rankin.(1998)
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A Good Hanging and Other Stories Join the adventure in 'A Good Hanging and Other Stories' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Short Stories/Novellas series by Ian Rankin.(2003)
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The Beat Goes On In 'The Beat Goes On', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Short Stories/Novellas saga.(2014)
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Long Shadows (Play) In 'Long Shadows (Play)', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Short Stories/Novellas saga.(2019)
Publication Order of Jack Harvey Books
3 books
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Witch Hunt 'Witch Hunt' brings readers into a world of magic and wonder in the Publication Order of Jack Harvey Books series by Ian Rankin.(1993)
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Blood Hunt Join the adventure in 'Blood Hunt' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Jack Harvey Books series by Ian Rankin.(1995)
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Bleeding Hearts 'Bleeding Hearts' explores themes of love and relationships in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Jack Harvey Books series by Ian Rankin.(2001)
Publication Order of Malcolm Fox Books
2 books
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The Complaints In 'The Complaints', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Malcolm Fox Books saga.(2009)
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The Impossible Dead In 'The Impossible Dead', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Malcolm Fox Books series by Ian Rankin.(2011)
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
5 books
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The Flood The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'The Flood', another thrilling entry from Ian Rankin.(1986)
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Watchman Experience the magic of 'Watchman' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.(1988)
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Westwind In 'Westwind', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels saga.(1991)
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Doors Open In 'Doors Open', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels saga.(2008)
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The Heights Experience the magic of 'The Heights' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.(2026)
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
5 books
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A Deep Hole Join the adventure in 'A Deep Hole' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series by Ian Rankin.(1994)
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A Cool Head In 'A Cool Head', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas saga.(2009)
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Meet and Greet In 'Meet and Greet', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas saga.(2016)
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Deathwatch Journal In 'Deathwatch Journal', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series by Ian Rankin.(2017)
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The Rise 'The Rise' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series, set in the world Ian Rankin has created.(2023)
Publication Order of Plays
1 books
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Dark Road 'Dark Road' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Plays series, set in the world Ian Rankin has created.(2014)
Publication Order of Short Story Collections
1 books
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Beggars Banquet The Publication Order of Short Story Collections series continues with 'Beggars Banquet', another thrilling entry from Ian Rankin.(2002)
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
1 books
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Rebus's Scotland In 'Rebus's Scotland', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books saga.(2005)
Publication Order of Hellblazer Graphic Novels
1 books
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Dark Entries 'Dark Entries' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Hellblazer Graphic Novels series, set in the world Ian Rankin has created.(2009)
Publication Order of Bibliomysteries Books
1 books
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The Travelling Companion Experience the magic of 'The Travelling Companion' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Bibliomysteries Books universe.(2016)
Chronological Order of Bibliomysteries Books
1 books
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The Travelling Companion Experience the magic of 'The Travelling Companion' as it builds upon the beloved Chronological Order of Bibliomysteries Books universe.(2016)
Publication Order of Murderous Christmas Stories Books
7 books
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Murder under the Christmas Tree In 'Murder under the Christmas Tree', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Murderous Christmas Stories Books series by Ian Rankin.(2016)
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Murder on Christmas Eve In 'Murder on Christmas Eve', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Murderous Christmas Stories Books series by Ian Rankin.(2017)
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A Very Murderous Christmas In 'A Very Murderous Christmas', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Murderous Christmas Stories Books series by Ian Rankin.(2018)
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Murder at Christmas In 'Murder at Christmas', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Murderous Christmas Stories Books series by Ian Rankin.(2019)
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Murder in Midwinter In 'Murder in Midwinter', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Murderous Christmas Stories Books series by Ian Rankin.(2020)
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Murder on a Winter's Night In 'Murder on a Winter's Night', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Murderous Christmas Stories Books series by Ian Rankin.(2021)
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Murder in the Falling Snow In 'Murder in the Falling Snow', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Murderous Christmas Stories Books series by Ian Rankin.(2022)
Publication Order of Mysterious Profiles Books
1 books
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John Rebus Join the adventure in 'John Rebus' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Mysterious Profiles Books series by Ian Rankin.(2022)
Publication Order of Anthologies
21 books
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The Oxford Book of Detective Stories 'The Oxford Book of Detective Stories' follows a thrilling investigation in the acclaimed Publication Order of Anthologies series by Ian Rankin.(2000)
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Master's Choice: Mystery Stories by Today's Top Writers and the Masters Who Inspired Them In 'Master's Choice: Mystery Stories by Today's Top Writers and the Masters Who Inspired Them', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Anthologies saga.(2000)
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The World's Finest Mystery and Crime Stories 1 'The World's Finest Mystery and Crime Stories 1' follows a thrilling investigation in the acclaimed Publication Order of Anthologies series by Ian Rankin.(2000)
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The World's Finest Mystery and Crime Stories 2 'The World's Finest Mystery and Crime Stories 2' follows a thrilling investigation in the acclaimed Publication Order of Anthologies series by Ian Rankin.(2000)
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The Longman Anthology of Detective Fiction 'The Longman Anthology of Detective Fiction' follows a thrilling investigation in the acclaimed Publication Order of Anthologies series by Ian Rankin.(2004)
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One City In 'One City', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Anthologies saga.(2005)
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Dangerous Women The Publication Order of Anthologies series continues with 'Dangerous Women', another thrilling entry from Ian Rankin.(2005)
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Crime Scenes Revisited: Scottish Popular Fiction 'Crime Scenes Revisited: Scottish Popular Fiction' follows a thrilling investigation in the acclaimed Publication Order of Anthologies series by Ian Rankin.(2006)
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The Penguin Book of Crime Stories 'The Penguin Book of Crime Stories' follows a thrilling investigation in the acclaimed Publication Order of Anthologies series by Ian Rankin.(2007)
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Ox-Tales: Earth 'Ox-Tales: Earth' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, set in the world Ian Rankin has created.(2009)
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Crimespotting 'Crimespotting' follows a thrilling investigation in the acclaimed Publication Order of Anthologies series by Ian Rankin.(2009)
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The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 8 'The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 8' follows a thrilling investigation in the acclaimed Publication Order of Anthologies series by Ian Rankin.(2011)
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The Best of Barcelona INK The Publication Order of Anthologies series continues with 'The Best of Barcelona INK', another thrilling entry from Ian Rankin.(2012)
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The Killer Cookbook In 'The Killer Cookbook', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Anthologies series by Ian Rankin.(2012)
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OxCrimes: 27 Killer Stories from the Cream of Crimewriters In 'OxCrimes: 27 Killer Stories from the Cream of Crimewriters', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Anthologies series by Ian Rankin.(2014)
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FaceOff Experience the magic of 'FaceOff' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Anthologies universe.(2014)
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Jawbreakers In 'Jawbreakers', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Anthologies saga.(2014)
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Ten Year Stretch Experience the magic of 'Ten Year Stretch' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Anthologies universe.(2018)
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First Edition: Celebrating 21 Years of Goldsboro Books Join the adventure in 'First Edition: Celebrating 21 Years of Goldsboro Books' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Anthologies series by Ian Rankin.(2020)
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Daggers Drawn The Publication Order of Anthologies series continues with 'Daggers Drawn', another thrilling entry from Ian Rankin.(2021)
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The People's City: One City Trust Join the adventure in 'The People's City: One City Trust' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Anthologies series by Ian Rankin.(2022)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Ian Rankin?
Ian Rankin is a bestselling author known for 15 book series containing over 80 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books, Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Short Stories/Novellas, Publication Order of Jack Harvey Books. Their work has captivated millions of readers worldwide.
Q: What is the best Ian Rankin book series to start with?
For readers new to Ian Rankin's work, we recommend starting with the Publication Order of Inspector Rebus Books series. This series showcases the author's signature style and is considered one of their most accessible and engaging works. With 25 books, it offers a perfect entry point to Ian Rankin's writing.
Q: How many books has Ian Rankin written?
Ian Rankin has written over 80 books across 15 different series. From thriller mysteries to fantasy adventures, their diverse body of work offers something for every reader.