Ian Rankin was in conversation with Chris Hammer on Midnight and Blue, the latest instalment of the Inspector Rebus series, and reflections on Ian’s bestselling career in crime writing.

Midnight and Blue is Ian Rankin at his tense and thrilling best. Detective Inspector John Rebus spent his life putting Edinburgh's most deadly criminals behind bars. Now, he's joined them. As new allies and old enemies circle, and the days and nights bleed into each other, even the legendary detective struggles to keep his head. That is, until a murder at midnight in a locked cell presents a new mystery.

They say old habits die hard. However, this is a case where the prisoners and the guards are all suspects, and everyone has something to hide. With no badge, no authority and no safety net, Rebus walks a tightrope - with his life on the line. But how do you find a killer in a place full of them?

‘Rebus is one of British crime writing's greatest characters: alongside Holmes, Poirot and Morse' Daily Mail

‘Rankin has taken the police procedural and transformed into an epic character study of a man and his city ... Nobody does it better’.The Times

Sir Ian Rankin is the multi-million copy worldwide bestseller of over 30 novels and the creator of John Rebus. His books have been translated into 36 languages and have been adapted for radio, stage and screen.

Rankin is the recipient of four Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Awards, including the Diamond Dagger, the UK’s most prestigious award for crime fiction. In the United States, he has won the celebrated Edgar Award and been shortlisted for the Anthony Award. He is the recipient of honorary degrees from four universities across the UK, is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh and a Fellow of The Royal Society of Literature. He was knighted in 2023 for services to literature and charity and has also received an OBE for his services to literature.

Chris Hammer's first book, Scrublands, became an instant bestseller when it was published in 2018 and has been released as a TV series on Stan. as has his second novel Silver published in 2019. His subsequent novels Trust (2020), Treasure & Dirt (2021) The Tilt (2022), The Seven (2023) and The Valley (2024) - have all also been bestsellers. Chris has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Charles Sturt University and a master's degree in international relations from the ANU.

The vote of thanks was given by Canberra crime fiction reviewer Anna Creer.