Rankin: Death not in John Rebus' future

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Scottish author Ian Rankin says he has considered killing off his literary character, John Rebus, but the detective will survive his next book.

While rumors had been circulating that Rankin would kill off his famed creation in his final Rebus novel, the author says that while Rebus' future is still uncertain, death is not in the cards, The Scotsman reported.

"He's not going to die at the end of the final book, that would be an indignity too far," said Rankin. "He's not going to go off hand in hand with Cafferty, his nemesis.

"I know what he's not going to do," said Rankin. "I just don't know yet what he is going to do."

The author, who created Rebus' thrilling adventures through 16 novels, hinted that the detective could ultimately become the assistant to his current sidekick, Detective Sgt. Clarke.

The paper said the final novel of the Rebus saga, "The Naming of the Dead," is expected to be released next fall.