REBUS20 is a year of events and celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the creation of Inspector Rebus by the UK's bestselling crime writer Ian Rankin. Inspector John Rebus first appeared in Knots & Crosses in 1987 and since then has featured in 18 books, on audio, on radio and TV. Rebus novels have sold over seven million copies worldwide to date, and have been translated into 24 languages.

Rebus on Last.FM
Listen to Rankin and Rebus’s playlist on Last.FM
http://www.last.fm/group/Ian+Rankin

Crime Scene Edinburgh: 20 Years of Rankin and Rebus
An exhibition at the National Library of Scotland in which Ian Rankin looks back on 20 years with his fictional detective, Inspector Rebus. It explores Ian's development as a writer, his process of writing, the character arc of Rebus and the key part that the city of Edinburgh plays in the books. The exhibiton runs from Wednesday 24 October 2007 to Sunday 13 January 2008 in the George IV Bridge Building.

Rebus XX
Ian Rankin reveals the title of the new Rebus novel at the Edinburgh Festival – Exit Music – published in September. Read more and listen to an audio extract.

Competition
Congratulations to the winner of the competition to guess the title of Ian Rankin’s new book, out this September. Although nobody guessed the title correctly, Ian has selected his favourite: The Final Cut (originally the title of a Pink Floyd album) which was put forward by Tony Brown.

Watch a video trailer for The Naming of the Dead

Rankin & Rebus Exhibition in Edinburgh
If you are in Edinburgh over the summer, don’t miss this exhibition at the Writers’ Museum at the top of the Royal Mile. Rankin & Rebus: Partners in Crime looks back over Ian Rankin’s career and reveals his early influences, how he writes his Rebus novels and what it is about Edinburgh that inspires him. For established fans and newcomers alike, this will provide a fascinating insight into the creative process that drives one of Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary writers – the creator of a series that spawned the ‘tartan noir’ genre.
 
Among the exhibition’s archive material will be a copy of the final draft of the Knots & Crosses manuscript, the first Rebus novel (published in 1987); the computer on which Ian wrote some of the early Rebus novels, Ian’s first published short story, plus cover designs for the Rebus series over the last 20 years – from the UK and abroad.
 


There will also be an ‘ideas wall’ modelled on Ian’s method of accumulating information and ideas for his novels by covering the walls of his study with Post-it notes. Using special Rebus20 Post-it notes visitors will be able to post their own ideas on a recent photo of Ian Rankin at work on his next novel – rumoured to be the final outing for his fictional anti-hero.

The exhibition runs until 30th September
Writers' Museum
Lady Stair's Close
Royal Mile
Edinburgh

New Honours for Rankin
Ian Rankin has recently received two honours from the City of Edinburgh.

In March Ian became the first ever recipient of the new Edinburgh Award, set up to honour the work of an outstanding Edinburgher. From a large number of public nominations, representing a cross section of people from the fields of arts, business, science and hospitality, the judging panel unanimously voted Ian Rankin as the inaugural winner.

Commenting on the award, Ian Rankin said: "I'm incredibly chuffed to win this award. Anyone who knows me, knows I am passionate about Edinburgh - its past, present and future. And anyone who has read my Inspector Rebus novels knows that Edinburgh itself is the main character in my stories. The city has inspired my writing and reveals itself anew to me every single day. The twenty-first century is already throwing up new challenges for Edinburgh and its citizens, and I hope I'll be able to go on recording and commenting on these in my fiction. It'll be a while yet before I'm finished exploring this city and its people."

Speaking on behalf of the panel, Lord Provost Lesley Hinds said: “Ian Rankin is clearly one of Edinburgh’s global success stories. He is internationally recognised as one of the greatest crime writers of our time and he has taken Edinburgh onto a world stage through his Rebus novels.

“But Ian is more than just a brilliant writer, he’s an asset to his community and devotes a lot of time to working for charities in Edinburgh and Scotland. He has taken Edinburgh onto the world stage but has kept his feet firmly on the ground, getting involved in local issues and interacting with the community in which he lives. Ian Rankin is a very worthy recipient of this first ever Edinburgh Award.”

In April, Ian was appointed to the rank of Deputy Lieutenant of Edinburgh by the Lord Provost Lesley Hinds. The tradition of appointing Lord and Deputy Lieutenants goes back to Tudor times; Henry VIII awarded the honour of Lord Lieutenant to his most senior military men on the field of battle, who would then represent the king in the monarch’s absence. The first Deputy Lieutenants of Edinburgh were appointed in 1569 and there are currently around 20 of them, who hold their office for ten years, or until the lieutenant is 75 – whichever comes first.

As Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh, it is part of the Lord Provost's remit to meet any member of the Royal Family who visits the city. If she is unable to carry out this task, she will appoint a deputy to act on her behalf. Speaking to the BBC, Ian commented “When I opened the letter with the offer from the Lord Provost I didn't even know we had Deputy Lieutenants! It is a great honour to have been offered the role. However, I was a bit worried when I received a text message from a friend the other day saying I would have to wear a cockade...”

Cllr Hinds said she had chosen to recognise people who have made a significant contribution to life in the city. “This is a fantastic opportunity to recognise hard working contributors to Edinburgh's community, business and cultural assets.Reinvigorating an ancient tradition in this way makes the point that Edinburgh is a city that can build on its past while looking to the future. This is the face of the 21st century.”

The Naming of the Dead wins Worldbooks Crime Thriller of the Year
This is Ian’s second consecutive win, as Fleshmarket Close carried off the award two years ago. Ian said:

“How fantastic, in this the 20th anniversary of Inspector Rebus’s first appearance in print, to win a Nibbie for his seventeenth outing, The Naming of the Dead. It makes me wonder if I may be getting the hang of this writing business at long last. And to think that I nearly killed him off at the end of that first book...”

Ian Rankin interview on BBC Radio Five Live
To conincide with the publication of the Collector's Edition of the first Inspector Rebus novel, Knots & Crosses, Simon Mayo interviewed Ian Rankin about 20 year's of Rebus, on BBC Radio Five Live.

Listen to Ian Rankin interviewed by Simon Mayo on Radio Five Live

REBUS20 and the Caledonian Brewery
Throughout 2007 Deuchars IPA will be branded Rebuss favourite pint in selected pubs to mark Rebus's 20th anniversary. As part of the celebrations Caledonian will also be brewing a commemorative beer – the Rebus20 beer – which will be the Caledonian Brewery's special seasonal ale for August 2007. It will be available commercially nationwide and will also be used for promotion purposes surrounding the Rebus20 anniversary year.

The special ale will also contain a mystery ingredient chosen by Ian and Dr Robert Burton, Caleys Head Brewer.

"No small amount of craft and artistry go into brewing Deuchars IPA, so for a true master of his art like Ian Rankin to recognise its qualities and immortalise it in print is a genuine honour." Chris Marsh, Head of Marketing, Caledonian Brewing Company

"Like Inspector Rebus, Ive been drinking Deuchars IPA for more years than I can remember. ...Ive tasted a multitude of beers and lagers in over a dozen countries, but nothing quite matches Deuchars. I dont think Ive ever had a bad pint of the stuff." Ian Rankin

Visit www.caledonian-brewery.co.uk

Highland Park Rebus20
In November 2006, Ian Rankin visited the Highland Park Distillery on Orkney. During his visit, Ian personally selected a single cask of 20-year-old Highland Park, to be bottled as "Highland Park Rebus20", in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Knots & Crosses.

Just over one hundred and fifty limited edition bottles have been produced. This rare and truly unique cask-strength expression of an outstanding single malt will be available exclusively through activities surrounding the Rebus20 anniversary year.

"Rebus likes a dark caramel colour a rugged, manly, smokey whisky. We can describe it as being like Rebus, dark and complex with long finish." Ian Rankin.

"Highland Park and Rebus have a lot in common; they are high quality products, created by master craftsmen which continue to exceed expectations over a long period of time." Jason Craig, Global Controller, Highland Park

Visit www.highlandpark.co.uk

The Scotsman and REBUS20
The Scotsman launched Rebus20 with a free giveaway of a paperback Rebus book on 24th March [Scotland only] plus a special Rebus Charity Auction. Ten superb lots – including a walk-on part in the Rebus TV series, a visit to the Highland Park distillery on Orkney, a private tour of the Caledonian Brewery and a special leatherbound edition of the Collector’s Edition of Knots & Crosses, was be auctioned online between 17th and 24th March, with all proceeds going to Ian’s chosen charity SNIP (see www.snipinfo.org).

Visit www.scotsman.com for details of the auction.

For further information about REBUS20, visit the official Ian Rankin site www.ianrankin.net.