This Ian Rankin special edition, Rather be the Devil – with a special intro by fellow crime writer Stuart Neville was issued in February 2017 and is signed and numbered from 1 – 52 copies only.

John Rebus, now a couple of years into his retirement, finds himself drawn into a cold case from the 1970s involving a female socialite, found dead in a bedroom in one of Edinburgh’s most luxurious hotels. It’s a crime over forty years old, but no one was ever found guilty.

Now, Rebus has his own reasons to investigate . . . but it is going to set him against some very dangerous people.

It is well known to Ian Rankin readers that rock music with its vibe and lyrics is more that a passing interest in the life of Rebus. Northern Ireland crime writer Stuart Neville recently talked with Ian about this book and considered that the careers of Van Morrison and John Rebus would be an interesting way of bringing out another side of the famous detective. Stuart’s excellent intro “Rankin, Rebus and the Devil” is exclusive to this Scorpion Press edition and also discusses musician John Martyn – who had a dedicated following in the 70s – since his music features in the novel and the title of the book is taken from his Solid Air album track “I’d Rather be the Devil”.

This is the nineth Ian Rankin book issued by the Scorpion Press.  It is well up to Ian’s high standard.