Ian Rankin pips JK Rowling to Christmas No 1

By MIKAELA MACKINNON
Published on 19/12/2012 00:00

CRIME author Ian Rankin’s latest novel has been announced as the Christmas No1 best-selling book in the UK hardback fiction charts – overtaking another Edinburgh-based writer, JK Rowling’s Casual Vacancy.

Rankin’s 28th novel, Standing In Another Man’s Grave, takes Detective Inspector John Rebus out of the retirement, which Rankin imposed on him in 2006, to track down five young women who mysteriously vanish near the A9.

Standing In Another Man’s Grave was released in the UK on 8 November and is set for US release in January.

Rowling’s first novel aimed at adult readers went to the top of the fiction charts in the week after its release on 27 September. She remains the highest-selling author in the UK, from her Harry Potter series.