THE REBUS BOOKS IN ORDER

THE WHOLE SERIES, ORGANISED IN THE ORDER THEY WERE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED

 

John Rebus is one of the most enduring characters in crime fiction, first appearing in Knots & Crosses in 1987.

 

Each of the novels is linked by returning characters, such as Siobhan Clarke and ‘Big Ger’ Cafferty, but you can start reading the Rebus books at any point in the series, and you don’t need to have read the earlier books to enjoy the later ones.

 

But if you would like to know the order in which they were written and published, here is the definitive list. You can also view them all on our Books page

Knots And Crosses

Knots And Crosses

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Discover how it all began in the very first Rebus novel from 'Britain's No.1 crime writer' Daily Mirror 'And in Edinburgh of all places. I mean, you never think of that sort of thing happening in Edinburgh, do you...?' 'That sort of thing' is the brutal abduction and murder of… Read More

Hide And Seek

Hide And Seek

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The second Inspector Rebus novel from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES. 'Ian Rankin is a genius' Lee Child A junkie lies dead in an Edinburgh squat, spreadeagled, cross-like on the floor, between two burned-down candles, a five-pointed star daubed on the wall above. Just… Read More

Tooth And Nail

Tooth And Nail

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The third Inspector Rebus novel from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES 'No one writes better crime novels' EVENING STANDARD They call him the Wolfman - because he takes a bite out of his victims and because they found the first victim in the East… Read More

Strip Jack

Strip Jack

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The fourth Inspector Rebus novel from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES - 'unmatched in the field of British crime fiction' THE TIMES. Gregor Jack, MP, well-liked, young, married to the fiery Elizabeth - to the outside world a very public success story. But Jack's… Read More

The Black Book

The Black Book

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The fifth Inspector Rebus novel from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES 'Ian Rankin is a genius' Lee Child When a close colleague is brutally attacked, Inspector John Rebus is drawn into a case involving a hotel fire, an unidentified body, and a long forgotten… Read More

Mortal Causes

Mortal Causes

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The sixth Inspector Rebus novel from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES. 'An outstanding creation' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH It is August in Edinburgh and the Festival is in full swing... A brutally tortured body is discovered in one of the city's ancient subterranean streets and marks… Read More

Let It Bleed

Let It Bleed

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'Rebus is one of fiction's greatest creations' MARIAN KEYES In the depths of Edinburgh winter, the bodies are piling up for Detective John Rebus - two suicides, a murder, and the mysterious death of an inmate in one of Scotland's largest prisons. When his investigation uncovers a web of conspiracy… Read More

Black And Blue

Black And Blue

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Special edition of the award-winning Rebus novel from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES - includes exclusive extra material. 'Britain's best crime novelist' DAILY EXPRESS 'Ian Rankin is a genius' Lee Child In the 1960s, the infamous Bible John terrorised Scotland when he murdered three… Read More

The Hanging Garden

The Hanging Garden

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The ninth Inspector Rebus novel from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES. 'Masterly' SUNDAY TIMES 'Ian Rankin is a genius' Lee Child DI Rebus is buried under a pile of paperwork but an escalating dispute between the upstart Tommy Telford and Big Ger Cafferty's gang… Read More

Dead Souls

Dead Souls

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The tenth Inspector Rebus novel from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES. 'Britain's best crime novelist' DAILY EXPRESS 'No one in Britain writes better crime novels today Evening Standard Stalking a poisoner at the local zoo, Inspector John Rebus comes across a paedophile taking pictures… Read More

Set In Darkness

Set In Darkness

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The eleventh Inspector Rebus novel from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES 'Ian Rankin is a genius' Lee Child 'Britain's best crime novelist' DAILY EXPRESS. Edinburgh is about to become the home of the first Scottish parliament in 300 years. As political passions run high,… Read More

The Falls

The Falls

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The twelfth Inspector Rebus bestseller - a powerfully gripping novel where past and present collide... From the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES 'This is, quite simply, crime writing of the highest order' DAILY EXPRESS 'The unopposed champion of the British police procedural' GUARDIAN A student… Read More

Resurrection Men

Resurrection Men

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The thirteenth Inspector Rebus novel from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES 'No one in Britain writes better crime novels' Evening Standard 'This is Rankin at his best, and, boy, that's saying something' TIME OUT Rebus is off the case - literally. A few days… Read More

A Question of Blood

A Question of Blood

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The fourteenth Inspector Rebus novel - and No.1 bestseller. Two seventeen-year-olds are killed by an ex-Army loner who has gone off the rails. The mystery takes Rebus into the heart of a shattered community. Ex-Army himself, Rebus becomes fascinated by the killer, and finds he is not alone. Army investigators… Read More

Fleshmarket Close

Fleshmarket Close

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The fifteenth Inspector Rebus novel from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES 'It's another Rebus novel you can't put down, and Rankin at his most powerful' CHOICE 'Rankin is superb' DAILY MAIL An illegal immigrant is found murdered in an Edinburgh housing scheme. Rebus is… Read More

The Naming Of The Dead

The Naming Of The Dead

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The sixteenth Inspector Rebus novel from 'Britain's best crime novelist' DAILY EXPRESS and No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES 'Rankin just gets better. The topicality and eye for detail are awesome' Jilly Cooper 'This is possibly the best novel you will read in your life full… Read More

Exit Music

Exit Music

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Sometimes murder is the easy way out... A brilliant Rebus novel from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES. 'Britain's No.1 crime writer' Daily Mirror 'Ian Rankin is a genius' Lee Child A mugging gone wrong ... or murder? A dissident Russian poet is found dead… Read More

Standing in Another Man’s Grave

Standing in Another Man’s Grave

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What price will he pay to get his old life back...? From the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES 'This is British crime-writing of the finest, lasting quality' DAILY MAIL 'Genius ... Rankin once again proves himself to be the consummate master of crime' SCOTLAND ON… Read More

Saints of the Shadow Bible

Saints of the Shadow Bible

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Old crimes don't stay buried... From the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES 'Ian Rankin is a genius' Lee Child 'A first-rate thriller but also a forensic examination of contemporary Scottish society' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY Rebus is back on the force, albeit with a demotion and… Read More

Even Dogs in the Wild

Even Dogs in the Wild

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Someone knows where the bodies are buried... 'Taut, dark and expertly crafted tale' [GUARDIAN] from the No.1 bestselling author of A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES 'No one in Britain writes better crime novels today' Evening Standard Retirement doesn't suit John Rebus. He wasn't made for hobbies, holidays or home… Read More

Rather Be the Devil

Rather Be the Devil

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'Britain's No.1 crime writer' Mirror * * * * * A CASE THAT WON'T DIE John Rebus can't close the door on the death of glamorous socialite Maria Turquand. Brutally murdered in her hotel room forty years ago, her killer has never been found. Meanwhile, Edinburgh's dark heart is up… Read More

In a House of Lies

In a House of Lies

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IN A HOUSE OF LIES... Everyone has something to hide A missing private investigator is found, locked in a car hidden deep in the woods. Worse still - both for his family and the police - is that his body was in an area that had already been searched. Everyone… Read More

A Song for the Dark Times

A Song for the Dark Times

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From the iconic Number One bestseller Ian Rankin, comes one of the must-read books of the year: A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES 'Genius ... Only great novels capture the spirit of the age. This is one of them.' THE TIMES * * * * * 'He's gone...' When his… Read More

A Heart Full of Headstones

A Heart Full of Headstones

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THE BRAND NEW REBUS THRILLER FROM THE ICONIC NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER. ONE OF THE MUST-READ NOVELS OF THE YEAR. 'I loved it - Rebus is one of fiction's greatest creations' MARIAN KEYES John Rebus stands accused: the once legendary detective is on trial, facing the rest of his life behind… Read More