Ian Rankin

Nominated Title: Fleshmarket Close
Publisher: Orion

Born in1960 in Fife, Ian Rankin is one of the best-selling crime writers in the world.. Before becoming a full-time novelist, however, he's worked as a grape-picker, swineherd, taxman, alcohol researcher, hi-fi journalist, college secretary and punk musician. After graduating from University in Edinburgh, he moved to London for four years and then rural France for six to develop his chosen career as a novelist.

Ian Rankin is best known for his Inspector Rebus novels, which are mainly set in Edinburgh. Many of the novels have been televised on ITV, starring firstly John Hannah and then Ken Stott, with the latter being hailed by many fans as ideal for the character. The first adaptations with Stott as Rebus, The Falls – in which he made a cameo appearance - and Fleshmarket Close were screened in early 2006.

Ian has won two Crime Writers' Association (CWA) Dagger prizes for short stories and in 1997 the CWA Macallan Gold Dagger for Fiction for his Rebus novel, Black & Blue. He won the Edgar in 2002 for Resurrection Men and, in 2005, was awarded the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger to mark a lifetime's achievement in crime writing. In June 2002 he was awarded an OBE in the Golden Jubilee Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to literature.

Ian Rankin is a regular contributor to the BBC Two arts programme Late Review, has had three-part drama series on the subject of Evil broadcast on Channel 4 in December 2002 and collaborated with folk musician Jackie Leven on the album Jackie Leven Said.

Ian divides his time between France and Edinburgh and lives with his wife and two children.

www.ianrankin.net