Ian Rankin

  • 126

    Catalog books

  • 13

    Works

  • 1988 to 2023

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Ian Rankin has enough depth here to be more than a raw catalog rollup. This page pulls together 126 catalog-linked books across 1988 to 2023, which makes it easier to separate the strongest starting points from the noisier editions. The clearest lane here leans toward Mystery & Thriller, Young Readers & Series Fiction.

Best for readers who want pace, suspense, and a shelf that rewards straightforward starting points. If you want the easiest first click, start with Knots and Crosses and branch outward from there. UPB note: the strongest documented run here lands between 1988 to 2023; the most common copies on this page tend to come from Orion Publishing Group, Limited and Orion.

Best Place To Start

Knots and Crosses

Orion Publishing Group, Limited • 2008 • standard commitment

It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Mystery & Thriller entry points • Young Readers & Series Fiction entry points • common used copies from Orion Publishing Group, Limited and Orion

Genres and themes: Mystery & Thriller • Young Readers & Series Fiction • Classics & Literary Fiction

Who this author is best for: readers who want pace, suspense, and a shelf that rewards straightforward starting points

UPB note: the strongest documented run here lands between 1988 to 2023; the most common copies on this page tend to come from Orion Publishing Group, Limited and Orion.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Knots and Crosses

    Orion Publishing Group, Limited • 2008 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2008 • 272 pages.

  2. Tooth and Nail

    Orion Publishing Group, Limited • 2008 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2008 • 304 pages.

  3. Rather be the devil

    Little, Brown and Company • 2017 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2017 • 310 pages.

  4. Even Dogs in the Wild

    Little Brown & Company • 2016 • longer commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2016 • 352 pages.

  5. Beat Goes On

    Orion Publishing Group, Limited • 2014 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2014 • 464 pages.

  6. Standing in Another Man's Grave

    Little Brown & Company • 2013 • longer commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2013 • 400 pages.

  7. Doors open

    Little, Brown and Co. • 2010 • longer commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2010 • 364 pages.

  8. Exit music

    Orion • 2007 • longer commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2007 • 380 pages.

  9. Hide and Seek (Wheeler Large Print Book Series)

    Wheeler Publishing • 2007 • longer commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2007 • 397 pages.

  10. Rebus's Scotland

    Orion (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd ) • 2006 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2006 • 224 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • Knots and Crosses is the easier short commitment, while Tooth and Nail asks for more reading time up front.
  • Rather be the devil is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from Knots and Crosses.

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