The End of Rebus

For those who have been following Scottish author Ian Rankin’s career, it might be surprising to realize that 2007 will mark the 20th anniversary of the publication of Knots and Crosses, Rankin’s first novel featuring Inspector John Rebus. However, once you realize that he’s been writing Rebus novels since 1987, maybe it’s not such a shock that Rankin is contemplating the end of his well-loved hero.

The Guardian Unlimited reports that Rankin “told an audience of his readers at the Guardian Book Club that the next Rebus novel he writes (the 17th) will be the last.”

There were some expressions of regret. Readers clearly regard Rankin's detective, who is an “anarchist at heart”, with considerable affection. Not least because, as one reader said, he had grown older alongside them.

The Guardian piece--which, through the wonders of modern technology, datelines tomorrow--collects the thoughts of Guardian Book Club readers, layers in comments from the author and is a must-read for Rankin’s many fans.
The Guardian piece can be found here.