Ian Rankin Switches To A New Hero In 'Complaints'

Ian Rankin Switches To A New Hero In 'Complaints'

Detective John Rebus of the Edinburgh police force has retired after 17 novels and a slew of short stories. His creator, Scottish author Ian Rankin, has now written a new book with a new protagonist, a cop who works in the division of internal affairs — in other words, a cops who chases cops. The book, The Complaints, feels like it has the potential to become a new series business golf balls.

Because of Rebus' popularity, readers will inevitably compare Malcolm Fox, The Complaints' protagonist, with their beloved detective. Rebus gained a reputation for being a bit more rough-and-tumble, while Fox, Rankin says, is the kind of cop who drinks soft drinks at the bar.

Rankin sees why readers would make the comparison, as both cops work in Edinburgh and their stories are intimately tied to the city (where, incidentally, Rankin also lives). But, he says, there's a big dfferenence between the homicide unit and internal affairs Great Golf Swing Tips for Your Success.

"You couldn't be a cop like Rebus and work [in internal affairs]," Rankin tells Linda Wertheimer on Morning Edition. "You can't be a loner, you can't be a sort of vigilante, you can't break the rules – you've got to work well on a team."