Standing in Another Man’s Grave

By IAN RANKIN

Published by Hachette New Zealand $36.99 RRP
8 November 2012

REBUS IS BACK!

After an absence of five years, Hachette New Zealand is pleased to announce the return of "one of the most beguiling characters in the history of crime fiction" (TIMES)- Detective Inspector John Rebus.

It is twenty-five years since Rebus first appeared in Knots and Crosses, and five years since he retired. In Standing in Another Man's Grave not only is Rebus as stubborn and anarchic as ever, but he finds himself in trouble with Ian Rankin's latest creation, Malcolm Fox of Edinburgh's internal affairs unit. Added to which, Rebus may be about to derail the career of his ex-colleague Siobhan Clarke, while himself being permanently derailed by mob boss and old adversary Big Ger Cafferty.

But all Rebus wants to do is discover the truth about a series of seemingly unconnected disappearances stretching back to the millennium. The problem being, no one else wants to go there – and that includes Rebus' fellow officers. Not that any of that is going to stop Rebus. Not even when his own life and the careers of those around him are on the line.

Since Rebus' first appearance in 1987 the novels have gained global acclaim, become international bestsellers and won Ian Rankin numerous awards. Rebus has become one of the most significant characters in crime fiction and has "changed the way people imagine Edinburgh" (SCOTSMAN). Rebus' retirement in 2007 brought a huge outcry from his fans and hit headlines across the UK. His return will be one of the most hotly anticipated literary events of 2012.

Ian Rankin says of the return of Rebus: "I felt there was unfinished business between the two of us. He had never really gone away but was working for Edinburgh's cold case unit. And I knew I had a story that was a perfect fit for him."

The title of the new book Standing in Another Man's Grave is inspired by a song by the late Jackie Leven. The Scottish singer/songwriter was much admired by Rankin and the two became friends when they discovered a mutual regard for the other's work. They toured and recorded a show together ‘Jackie Leven Said' and were due to appear at a number of events shortly before Leven's death in autumn 2011. Standing in Another Man's Grave is dedicated to his memory.

"Jackie was a great guitarist and a fine songwriter with a vein of robust romantic imagery and a voice that could melt granite. He was also a terrific storyteller whose life had provided no end of material. He's still much missed by all of us who knew him," says Ian.

www.rebusisback.com

About the Author

Ian Rankin is the internationally bestselling author of the Inspector Rebus and Detective Malcolm Fox novels, as well as a string of stand-alone thrillers. His books have been translated into 36 languages and are bestsellers on several continents.

Ian is the recipient of four CWA Dagger Awards and in 2004, won America's celebrated Edgar Award. He is also the recipient of honorary degrees from the universities of Abertay, St Andrews, Hull and Edinburgh and received the OBE for services to literature, opting to receive the prize in his home city of Edinburgh, where he lives with his partner and two sons.