John Rebus: A Mysterious Profile

by Ian Rankin

The New York Times–bestselling author tells the story behind Inspector Rebus, the hard-edged Edinburgh cop and “superbly drawn character” (The Times, London).
 
In this short work, Edgar and Diamond Dagger Award winner Ian Rankin delves into DI John Rebus’s origins as a character, as well as his own origins as a writer. While author and character share a love of literature and a deep affection for Scotland’s capital city, they differ in other ways, as Rankin entertainingly testifies, while revealing how this “compelling figure” has developed over the course of his long-running series of gritty crime novels (Kirkus Reviews).
 
“[A] hard-drinking, chain-smoking, terminally melancholic hero . . . trapped in a world where mavericks are an endangered species.” —Booklist
 
“Rebus is without doubt one of the funniest among the classical fictional detectives.” —The Guardian
 
“With his stubborn insistence on tying up the frayed ends of every knotty clue, and iconoclastic refusal to be a team player . . . Rebus is a bane to his superiors but a blessing to readers.” —Publishers Weekly

Genres: Short Stories, Nonfiction

38 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 24, 2022

About the author

AKA Jack Harvey.

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. His first Rebus novel was published in 1987; the Rebus books are now translated into 22 languages and are bestsellers on several continents.

Ian Rankin has been elected a Hawthornden Fellow. He is also a past winner of the Chandler-Fulbright Award, and he received two Dagger Awards for the year's best short story and the Gold Dagger for Fiction. Ian Rankin is also the recipient of honorary degrees from the universities of Abertay, St Andrews, and Edinburgh.

A contributor to BBC2's Newsnight Review, he also presented his own TV series, Ian Rankin's Evil Thoughts, on Channel 4 in 2002. He recently received the OBE for services to literature, and opted to receive the prize in his home city of Edinburgh, where he lives with his partner and two sons.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/ianrankin

Reviews

[Shannon M (Canada) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read some of the "Mysterious Profile" short essays ever since I saw them listed a couple of years ago, but thought they were overpriced. My library acquired JOHN REBUS and it took me only 31 minutes to read. I very much liked the treatise but would never pay to read such a short piece of writing.

Readers looking for insight into the character of John Rebus (the detective) are going to be disappointed. This essay explores Ian Rankin's development as a writer. I identified with Rankin's early youth—working class boy with dreams, and some brains, with his love of comic books and music, with his expectations. (Except that I was female, and my traverse into respectable middle class took a different route, but my dreams were similar.)

A brief introduction to how Edinburgh shaped his creative juices as well. All in all 30-minute essay.

Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing the ebook that I read.

[Fiona Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting to hear Ian Rankin’s own voice discussing his writing and Rebus who remains a puzzle 😊

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a neat short introduction to John Rebus by Ian Rankin. We get some background how the character came to life and some of Rankins background as well.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

series of essays

Interesting background of the author, with some insight into the character of his most famous protagonist Rebus. I have always liked that the city of Edinburgh and Scotland are equal characters too. I was hooked on knots and crosses so now have to return to it, to investigate its flaws as noted by Ian Rankin.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars.

More of a short autobiography with Rankin essentially shrugging about precision Rebus’ creation and more a large theme that carries through him, Edinburgh and Rebus.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this pamphlet-length ebook, author Ian Rankin looks back on his early career, the creation of character John Rebus, and his loving fascination with Edinburgh.

[Tracey Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bit biased here as I adore ian rankin and got privilege to meet him several weeks ago. This short book explains how he came up with character of rebus

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really Ian Rankin writing about his development/growth into a writer and the creation of Rebus. In terms of that, it is very interesting. Rankin's voice is quite funny as well.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

One for completionists everywhere!

[Richard Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick explanation of the source of the author's creation John Rebus and a meditation on Edinburgh.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good series of background stories on the main characters from popular mystery series … this one a bit more about Rankin than Rebus, but still alright.

[William Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

There was so much background that told a fascinating insight into writing that was Wonderful. I will be looking for more from other authors.