World-Famous Scottish Crime Writer Ian Rankin heads to Malta Book Festival ’26

The National Book Council (NBC) is thrilled to announce that the bestselling crime fiction author Ian Rankin will be among the special guests at this year’s edition of the Malta Book Festival, taking place at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC), Ta’ Qali from 4-8 November. 

A leading figure of the genre whose Inspector Rebus can confidently be classed among similar icons such as Salvo Montalbano, Philip Marlowe and Hercule Poirot, the Scottish author’s welcome participation at Malta’s leading celebration of literary culture makes good on the spirit of inquiry and discovery that lies behind the theme for this year’s edition – Uncover the Story! 

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 novel Summer Rites remains in his bottom drawer, but his second novel, The Flood, was published in 1986, while his first Inspector Rebus novel, Knots & Crosses, was published in 1987. The Rebus series is now translated into twenty-two 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 has 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. 

At the Malta Book Festival, Rankin will be delivering a masterclass on crime fiction on Thursday, 5 November at 19:00. Entitled ‘Why Crime Fiction Is Good For You’, 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, 7 November. 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 be taking place at Is-Sala tal-Kittieba at 19:00 and are free of charge. However, registration is required via Submittable. 

“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. 

“As the National Book Council, we have made sure, year in, year out, that our visitors get a chance to engage with some of the world’s leading literary voices in a friendly and accessible space. And once again, aspiring authors based in Malta will get a chance to further hone their craft thanks to the free-of-charge masterclass, which follows on from similar events we have been proud to organise by the likes of Jeff VanderMeer, Anthony Horowitz and others,” Camilleri added. 

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 the dedicated page on the NBC website here.

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