Beggar's Banquet - Softcover

Ian Rankin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 075284959X ISBN 13: 9780752849591

Publisher: Orion Paperbacks, 2003

Synopsis

Over the years, Ian Rankin has amassed an incredible portfolio of short stories. Published in crime magazines, composed for events, broadcast on radio, they all share the best qualities of his phenomenally popular Rebus novels. Ten years ago, A GOOD HANGING - Ian's first short story collection - demonstrated this talent and now after nearly a decade at the top of popular fiction, Ian is releasing a follow-up. Ranging from the macabre ('The Hanged Man') to the unfortunate ('The Only True Comedian') right back to the sinister ('Someone Got To Eddie') they all bear the hallmark of great crime writing. Of even more interest to his many fans, Ian includes seven Inspector Rebus stories in this collection ...

About this title

About the Author

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, and the Rebus books are now translated into twenty-two languages and are bestsellers on several continents. Ian Rankin has been elected a Hawthornden Fellow, and is also a past winner of the Chandler-Fulbright Award. He is the recipient of four Crime Writers' Association Dagger Awards including the prestigious Diamond Dagger in 2005. In 2004, Ian won America's celebrated Edgar Award for 'Resurrection Men'. He has also been shortlisted for the Edgar and Anthony Awards in the USA, and won Denmark's Palle Rosenkrantz Prize, the French Grand Prix du Roman Noir and the Deutscher Krimipreis. 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'. He recently received the OBE for services to literature, opting to receive the prize in his home city of Edinburgh, where he lives with his partner and two sons.

Review

Radio 4 are currently repeating a five-part series of readings of BEGGARS BANQUET at 7.45pm on Sunday evenings from 22 June to 20 July. BESTSELLERSScottish No 1 Bestseller in GLASGOW HERALD INTERVIEWS:Mail on Sunday (27 April), Property on Sunday interview with Ian on 'Why I live Where I live' REVIEWS: 'This collection proves that Rankin is a skilled practitioner of the difficult art of crime fiction in miniature...His territory - the Edinburgh of sink estates, drugs and disordered lives - does provide the backdrop for the most memorable stories here. And there is one tale, set in 18th-century Edinburgh, that suggests that Rankin as historical novelist would be well worth reading'SUNDAY TIMES 'Ian Rankin's 14th thriller in his outstanding Inspector Rebus series - A Question of Blood - is released by Orion this August. We at Midweek Towers, therfore, recommend that those of you unfamiliar with his oeuvre shouldpack your suitcases with his back catalogue as you head off for sunnier climes''Midweek Classic in NINE TO FIVE/MIDWEEK MAGAZINE 'Dip in and let the stories come to you, and you're rewarded by the craft and guile of a master thriller writer. Not just for Rankin's usual huge number of fans, but for all lovers of fine crime writing'GOOD BOOK GUIDE 'It seems to be accepted wisdom thatshort stories don't sell, which is a pity when there are collections as goodas these on the market...Rankin proves with this collection that he is a superb storyteller who can tackle anything with confidence, from the twisted mind of a serial killer to the luckiest comedian around'NORTHAMPTON CHRONICLE AND ECHO 'These tales not only explore the human condition but also the inner life of a city like no other'GREENOCK TELEGRAPH 'There is always a clever twist...Yes I will read them again over the next year'Reader Jury, BRADFORD TELEGR

About this edition

• Publisher: Orion Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 075284959X
• ISBN 13: 9780752849591
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384