Crime author Ian Rankin is the international guest of the Malta Book Festival

Crime fiction author Ian Rankin, best known for his Inspector Rebus novels, will be one of the headlining international guests of the 2026 Malta Book Festival. 

The announcement was made in a statement on Tuesday by the National Book Council.

Born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960, Ian Rankin graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1982 and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Literature. 

Best known for his character Inspector Rebus, his first novel, Summer Rites, was published in 1983, followed by his second novel, The Flood, which was published in 1986.

The first Inspector Rebus novel, Knots & Crosses, was published in 1987. The Rebus series is now translated into 22 languages, and the books are bestsellers on several continents.

In addition to his Rebus and Malcolm Fox novels, he has also written standalone novels, short stories, a graphic novel, two plays and a non-fiction book, Rebus’s Scotland (2005). 

Rankin received an OBE for services to literature, opting to receive the prize in his home city of Edinburgh, where he lives with his wife and two sons. 

Cover of Knots & Crosses- the first of the Inspector Rebus series, which is now translated into 22 languages. Photo: Wikipedia

During the festival, which will take place from November 4-8 at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC), Rankin will deliver a masterclass on crime fiction on November 5 at 7pm.

The session will see Rankin delving into how both character and genre got under his skin and how he turned his books into bestsellers. 

Rankin will also be interviewed by NBC Executive Chairperson and fellow crime writer Mark Camilleri on Saturday, November 7. 

During the event, which will conclude with a book signing, Rankin will be invited to speak about his long history with the detective fiction genre. 

Both events will take place at Is-Sala tal-Kittieba at 7pm and are free of charge. Registration is required.

“Having an author of Ian Rankin’s caliber is a true feather in the cap of the National Book Council, and it continues an exciting trend for the festival,” Camilleri said when announcing the news, highlighting how Rankin joins the likes of Samantha Harvey, Paul Lynch, Jeff VanderMeer, Irvine Welsh, Salman Rushdie, Naomi Klein and other authors of high international acclaim to feature as guests at the Malta Book Festival over the years. 

More updates will be announced in the coming weeks – follow the National Book Council and the Malta Book Festival on Facebook and the National Book Council on Instagram to stay updated. Be sure to also check into https://ktieb.org.mt/maltabookfestival/the-2025-malta-book-festival/. 

Attendance at both events featuring Ian Rankin at the Malta Book Festival ’26 is free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested may register here.