Orion signs two more from Rankin in seven-figure deal

Orion has scooped two new John Rebus thrillers by Ian Rankin in a seven-figure deal. 

Publisher Emad Akhtar acquired UK and Commonwealth rights for the books from Jon Wood at RCW.  The first, currently untitled, novel in the new deal will be published new deal will be published on 13th October in hardback, trade paperback, e-book and audio. It will be the first new Rebus book since A Song For The Dark Times (Orion) published in autumn 2020 and the 24th in the long-running series. 

In 2021, Rankin created the storyline for Channel 4’s “Murder Island”, a ground-breaking blend of factual reality TV and fictional murder investigation as well as completing the unfinished last Laidlaw novel by the late author William McIlvanney, The Dark Remains (Canongate). 

Through Nielsen BookScan in the UK, he has sold 10.2 million books for £68.7m. Doors Open (Orion) is his bestseller, at 325,404 copies sold in paperback since 2009.

Information about the plot, cover reveal, and campaign details for the new novel will follow over the coming months in one of Orion’s biggest superlead campaigns.

Rankin said: “I'm very happy to be working with Orion, my publisher for the past 30 years, on a pair of new books. Time to roll up my sleeves and sharpen my keyboard.”  

Akhtar commented: “A new novel from the iconic Ian Rankin and his much-beloved creation John Rebus is a reading highlight in every book lover’s year. No author combines page-turning plots with cultural commentary peopled with characters that feel so real, as consistently and engagingly as Ian does. Rankin’s writing is as vital today as it ever was and there is quite simply no one else like him.” 

Wood said: “I'm delighted that Ian's long — and hugely successful — association with both Orion and John Rebus continues this year. It's a genius combination that delivers every time. I've also waited too long to find out what happens next.”