English Crime Writer - Bev Russell, Library Director

(This column appeared in the January 27, 2008, Star-Herald)

 

Ian Rankin is an author, who has been around for a long time. His novels have been bestsellers in England for years, but I was unfamiliar with his work. When author C. J. Box recommended him at a recent presentation here at the library, I decided to give Rankin a try. Now, Ian Rankin is one of my favorite authors.

In the self-deprecating biography from his web site, Rankin says that before becoming a novelist he, "worked as a grape-picker, swineherd, taxman, alcohol researcher, hi-fi journalist, college secretary and punk musician." He does not emphasize his education from the University of Edinburgh, his work as a Literature tutor or his involvement with the James Tail Black Memorial Prize.

A highly educated man, Rankin’s original ambition was to become a mainstream author. He believed his first novels, "Knots and Crosses" and "Hide and Seek", to be in the tradition of Robert Louis Stevenson. Although disconcerted at having them classified as genre fiction, he went with the flow, and the rest is history.

This year Rankin is celebrating the 20^th year of his highly popular Inspector Rebus series. The novels, featuring Detective Inspector John Rebus, are set in and around Edinburgh, Scotland. Rebus is divorced and the father of a daughter. He has a gruff exterior but a softer interior. His love interests are not long term because women eventually come to realize that he is married to his job. Rebus also has a fondness for alcohol and frequents the Oxford Bar where he will often down a beer and whiskey. Since these novels are set in real time, Rebus has aged from a young Detective Sergeant to a man ready for retirement. His fans are concerned about the retirement of John Rebus and of the Rebus series in what Rankin says is his last Rebus book, "Exit Music".

I read one of Rankin’s earlier novels last week, "Watchman", which was originally published in 1988. Miles Flint is a government spy. He is paid by the government to be a watchman, someone whose job is to watch, to listen, and to report—

nothing more. This is fine with Flint. He has no desire for action or promotion. However, he has become careless of late and his most recent mistake led to a horrific murder. With IRA bombs exploding all around London, Flint is given one last chance to redeem himself. Sent to Belfast on a supposedly routine mission, the trip quickly becomes a flight of terror and murder. The professional voyeur is forced to change from a passive watchman to a ruthless man of action.

If you are looking for another crime writer and series to read, give Ian Rankin a try. You will not be disappointed—I wasn’t.

:: Go to Library Home ::

Scottsbluff Public Library :: 1809 Third Avenue :: Scottsbluff, NE 69361 :: 308-630-6250