Ian Rankin - Inspector Rebus

John Rebus is a detective of the old school - a bit of a maverick with his own ways of getting a result, not always according to the rule book. The books are mainly set in Edinburgh and the surrounding area although in later books he ventures further afield in Scotland.

The descriptions of Edinburgh are accurate and evocative. If you know the city you will feel on familiar territory. If you don't, you will become intimately acquainted with all aspects of the Scottish capital, especially the seamier side not obvious to tourists.

The first novel, Knots and Crosses, was published in 1987. Each one is a standalone story but they are linked by the regular characters - both colleagues and criminals. In the later stories, John is retired from the police force but returns to work in the Cold Case unit and then as a member of the public, using his connections with former colleagues to get inside knowledge and assistance.

My Favourite: Saints Of The Shadow Bible

Books in Order

Knots and Crosses

Hide and Seek

Tooth and Nail

Strip Jack

The Black Book

Mortal Causes

Let it Bleed

Black and Blue

The Hanging Garden

Dead Souls

Set in Darkness

The Falls

Resurrection Men

A Question of Blood

Fleshmarket Close

The Naming Of The Dead

Exit Music

Standing In Another Man's Grave

Saints Of The Shadow Bible

Even Dogs In The Wild

Rather Be The Devil

In A House Of Lies

A Song For the Dark Times