Bestselling crime writing legend, Ian Rankin came to the Borders to discuss his latest novel,  Midnight and Blue. Rankin’s masterfully executed twin-engine crime novel combines his gold standard Edinburgh-based police procedurals and a tough, tightly wound locked cell mystery.

Rankin was in conversation with literary critic, Stuart Kelly and the pair talked about all things Edinburgh, crime fiction, prisons, the specifics of foot railings in the famous Oxford Bar and most importantly, Detective John Rebus.

ABOUT THE BOOK

They say there is nowhere more dangerous for a cop than prison. John Rebus is about to find out just how true that is.

John Rebus spent his life as a detective putting Edinburgh’s most deadly criminals behind bars. Now, he’s joined them…

As new allies and old enemies circle, and the days and nights bleed into each other, even the legendary detective struggles to keep his head. That is, until a murder at midnight in a locked cell presents a new mystery. They say old habits die hard. Rebus finds himself at the centre of a case where the prisoners and the guards could all be suspects. But how do you find a killer in a place full of them? With no badge, no authority and no safety net, Rebus walks a tightrope – with his life on the line.

In preparation for the event, Sarah read her first Rankin novel. Starting at the beginning she picked up book number one, Knots and Crosses, to learn about the darker side of Edinburgh through the eyes of Rebus. Read her review here. 

You can purchase a copy of Midnight and Blue in the shop or via Bookshop.org HERE. 

You can view a recording of the event, here.