The whole Rebus crime novel series by Scottish author Ian Rankin, organised in the order they were originally published. Primarily based in and around Edinburgh, the series of books follows John Rebus, a Detective Sergeant.
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 4
Book 5
Book 6
Book 7
Book 8
Book 9
Book 10
Book 11
Book 12
Book 13
Book 14
Book 15
Book 16
Book 17
Book 18
Book 19
Book 20
Book 21
Book 22
Book 23
Book 24
Book 25
The Rebus book series by Ian Rankin is primarily targeted towards adult readers who enjoy crime fiction with a dark, psychological edge. These novels are particularly appealing to fans of police procedurals, gritty urban settings, and morally complex characters. The series deals with themes such as corruption, justice, and the personal cost of police work, making it best suited to a mature audience familiar with nuanced storytelling and darker subject matter.
The series is written at an adult reading level, featuring sophisticated language, layered narratives, and cultural references that require a good grasp of context and inference. Readers should expect a moderate to high level of vocabulary and sentence complexity, along with rich character development and intricate plotting. While accessible to confident readers, the books are best appreciated by those with experience in reading adult literary fiction or crime novels.
The Rebus series by Ian Rankin is gritty crime fiction rooted in the "Tartan Noir" tradition, blending police procedural with psychological depth. Set in Edinburgh, it explores the moral complexities of justice through a brooding, rule-bending detective.
The Rebus novels by Ian Rankin are best read in publication order (as listed above), starting with Knots and Crosses (1987). This allows you to follow Rebus's development as a character and the evolving dynamics of Edinburgh’s police force over time.
While each book presents a standalone mystery, reading them in order enhances the experience. You’ll appreciate the long-term story arcs, character growth, and recurring relationships that build from one novel to the next.
As of now, there are 25 full-length novels in the Rebus series, plus several short stories and novellas. The most recent novel is Midnight & Blue, published in 2025.
John Rebus is a fictional Scottish detective created by Ian Rankin. Known for his maverick style, deep moral code, and love for whisky and music, Rebus has become an iconic figure in crime fiction.
Yes! The Rebus series has been adapted for television, with different actors portraying Rebus over the years, including John Hannah and Ken Stott. The adaptations focus on selected cases from the novels.
Yes, Ian Rankin continues to write Rebus novels. While Rebus has officially retired in the books, he remains active in investigations, often finding himself pulled back into the action.
The Rebus novels fall under crime fiction, often described as Tartan Noir – a gritty, Scottish take on noir detective fiction, combining mystery with social realism.
