Ian Rankin novel most popular library book in Scotland

Scottish author Ian Rankin's, Saints of the Shadow Bible was the most borrowed book in libraries in Scotland during 2014/15, it was revealed today.

Ian Rankin. Picture Toby Williams

The data,released by the Public Lending Right (PLR) office shows exactly which books and authors proved most popular with library borrowers between July 2014 and June 2015.

Fellow Scot, Peter May had three titles appearing in the Top 10. Overall, crime fiction and thrillers are hugely popular in Scotland with all of the Top 10 Most Borrowed Books in Scotland belonging to this genre.

Ian Rankin commented: “It is lovely to find out how popular Inspector Rebus is in our libraries!

Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin.

“I’ve used libraries throughout my life. They are worlds of adventure, centres of free and inexhaustible knowledge and hubs of the community. My life would be the poorer without them.”

US thriller writer James Patterson was unveiled as the Most Borrowed Author in libraries across the UK as a whole for the ninth year running.

The number of library books borrowed across the UK fell from 247 million in 2013-14, to to 221 million in 2014-15.

Saints of the Shadow Bible by Ian Rankin.

TOP 10 LIBRARY BOOKS: SCOTLAND

1. Saints of the Shadow Bible, Ian Rankin

2. Personal, Lee Child

3. Entry Island, Peter May

4. Never Go Back, Lee Child

5. The Silkworm, Robert Galbraith

6. Unlucky 13, James Patterson

7. Extraordinary People, Peter May

8. The Chess Man, Peter May

9. Invisible, James Patterson

10. The Target, David Baldacci

TOP 10 LIBRARY BOOKS: UK OVERALL

1. Personal, Lee Child

2. Never Go Back, Lee Child

3. Abattoir Blues, Peter Robinson

4. The Silkworm, Robert Galbraith

5. Invisible, James Patterson

6. Unlucky 13, James Patterson

7. Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn

8. Want You Dead, Peter James

9. Be Careful What You Wish For, Jeffrey Archer