Rebus Comes Out Of Retirement To Travel South To Beverley With Author Ian Rankin

Once again, the Beverley Folk Festival has struck gold with the return to the event of the international best-selling author, Ian Rankin.

He will be bringing with him John Rebus, who once again returns to foil the crime world.

Rankin’s first Rebus novel was published in 1987, and the Rebus books are now translated into twenty-two languages and are best-sellers on several continents.

In his second visit to the festival, Rankin will be reading from, and talking about, his latest award winning novel “Standing in Another Man’s Grave.”

The book brings back memories of his friend and the inspiration for the title of the book, the late great Jackie Leven, who also appeared at the festival with Rankin on his first visit.

It celebrates twenty-five years since John Rebus appeared on the scene, and five years since he retired. On his return to the world of solving crime, he is as stubborn and anarchic as ever, and despite countless problems along the way, none are going to stop Rebus, not even when his own life and the careers of those around him are on the line.

Whilst celebrating the life of Jackie Leven in the book, Rankin will be joined at the festival by two of Jackie’s long-term collaborators, who will be contributing musically to the performance.

Deborah Greenwood was Jackie Leven’s partner in life and in music for the last 15 years of his life. She now works hard to curate the incredible legacy of the 300 songs that he left behind, and to help introduce more people each year to the moving and poetic world of Jackie Leven.

She is joined on stage by Michael Weston King to sing some of the songs that form the soundtrack to ‘Standing in Another Man’s Grave’, the title of which was taken from one of Jackie’s songs. Former leader of Alternative Country pioneers “The Good Sons” and now acclaimed solo artist, he is the very embodiment of the modern-day troubador.

His album, “I Didn’t Raise My Boy To Be A Soldier,” met with huge critical approval. On record, he has collaborated with Chris Hillman, Ron Sexsmith, Jackie Leven, and the late, great Townes van Zandt, and has toured with Nick Cave, John Cale, Roger McGuinn, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, and many more.

Most recently he has joined forces with his wife, Lou Dalgleish to record under the name My Darling Clementine. “MWK is like Britain’s very own Rodney Crowell” UnCut.

The show will be a rare performance of the show which is a very special one for Rankin, and those who remember Jackie Leven, and the festival feels honoured to be able to present this unique event.

A local firm of chartered accountants, cba are thrilled to support Beverley Folk Festival’s 30th Anniversary by sponsoring this event. Chris Brown, Senior Partner at cba explains:

“I have always enjoyed reading Ian Rankin’s novels. Music has a massive influence on his writing and provides his character with inspiration, which leads him to solve his cases. I am also a great lover of music and enjoy venturing out during the Folk Festival weekend to see what’s on. There is always something slightly un-expected, and I hope local residents will visit the race course to see the festival at its new location.

Our firm has worked closely on a professional level with the Folk Festival for several years. We enjoy supporting our clients and look forward to celebrating 30 years of the festival in Beverley and feel privileged to be part of the celebrations.”