The new book, to be released in autumn 2015, will also see the return of regular characters DI Siobhan Clarke and local gangster Ger Cafferty.
DI Clarke is investigating the death of a senior lawyer during a robbery. But the case becomes more complex when a note is discovered indicating that this may have been no random attack. When Ger Cafferty receives an identical message, Clarke decides that the recently retired John Rebus may be able to help...Scotland’s favourite detective has already made three comebacks since he closed his first "final" case in Exit Music (2007). The series was written in real time, so Rankin was forced to "retire" the detective when he hit 60.
Since the first Rebus Knots and Crosses appeared in 1987 Rankin has published 28 novels, several short story anthologies, a graphic novel and a play. Sixteen months ago Rankin says he suffered a burnout. He had also lost several close friends.
Gavin Wallace, head of literature at Creative Scotland, died in February 2013. At Wallace’s funeral Rankin saw another good friend, fellow author Iain Banks. Within months Banks revealed he was suffering from terminal cancer and he died in June 2013.
