Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545608
CLASSIFIEDS info@mediatoday.com.mt 8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 JUNE 2026 BOOKS & CLASSIFIEDS GENERAL LITERATURE – A book of short stories by Leonard Schembri - "The unfolding story of the Holy Grail & other stories" available from all Agenda book- shops and outlets. HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION MARSALFORN, Gozo - holiday apartments for short or long lets with magnificent sea-views. Call 21556021, 27556021, 79426883 PROPERTY TO LET XLENDI - catering premises in prime site to let. Can be used for other commercial purposes. Phone 79493021, 79426883, 77481592 or 77484029 SERVICES PLASTERING & RENOVATIONS - For all type of plastering and renovation call Matthew on 79727779 or send a message on fb: MA Plastering & Renovations. Malta Book Festival to feature crime writer Ian Rankin as special guest Bestselling crime f iction author Ian Rankin, the acclaimed creator of the Inspector Rebus series, will be a special guest at this year's Malta Book Festival, where he will share insights into the craft of crime writing THE National Book Council (NBC) has announced that bestselling crime fiction au- thor Ian Rankin will be among the special guests at this year's edition of the Malta Book Fes- tival, taking place at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC), Ta' Qali from 4-8 No- vember. A leading figure of the gen- re whose Inspector Rebus can confidently be classed among similar icons such as Salvo Montalbano, Philip Marlowe and Hercule Poirot, the Scot- tish author's welcome par- ticipation at Malta's leading celebration of literary culture makes good on the spirit of inquiry and discovery that lies behind the theme for this year's edition – Uncover the Story! Born in the Kingdom of Fife in 1960, Ian Rankin graduated from the University of Edin- burgh in 1982, and then spent three years writing novels when he was supposed to be working towards a PhD in Scottish Lit- erature. His first novel Summer Rites remains in his bottom draw- er, but his second novel, The Flood, was published in 1986, while his first Inspector Rebus novel, Knots & Crosses, was published in 1987. The Rebus series is now translated into twenty-two languages and the books are bestsellers on several continents. In addition to his Rebus and Malcolm Fox nov- els, he has also written stan- dalone novels, short stories, a graphic novel, two plays and a non-fiction book, Rebus's Scot- land (2005). Ian has received an OBE for services to literature, opting to receive the prize in his home city of Edinburgh, where he lives with his wife and two sons. At the Malta Book Festival, Rankin will be delivering a masterclass on crime fiction on 5 November at 7pm. Entitled 'Why Crime Fiction Is Good For You', the session will see Rankin delving into how both character and genre got under his skin and how he turned his books into bestsellers. Rankin will also be inter- viewed by NBC Executive Chairperson and fellow crime writer Mark Camilleri on 7 November. During the event, which will conclude with a book signing, Rankin will be invited to speak about his long history with the detective fic- tion genre. Both events will be taking place at Is-Sala tal-Kittieba at 19:00 and are free of charge. However, registration is re- quired via Submittable: https:// ktieb.submittable.com/submit "Having an author of Ian Rankin's caliber is a true feath- er in the cap of the National Book Council, and it contin- ues an exciting trend for the festival," Camilleri said when announcing the news, high- lighting how Rankin joins the likes of Samantha Harvey, Paul Lynch, Jeff VanderMeer, Sal- man Rushdie and other authors of high international acclaim to feature as guests at the Malta Book Festival over the years. "As the National Book Coun- cil, we have made sure, year in, year out, that our visitors get a chance to engage with some of the world's leading literary voices in a friendly and acces- sible space. And once again, aspiring authors based in Mal- ta will get a chance to further hone their craft thanks to the free-of-charge masterclass, which follows on from simi- lar events we have been proud to organise by the likes of Jeff VanderMeer, Anthony Horow- itz and others," Camilleri add- ed. More updates will be an- nounced in the coming weeks – follow the National Book Coun- cil and the Malta Book Festival on Facebook and the National Book Council on Instagram to stay updated. Be sure to also check into https://ktieb.org.mt/ maltabookfestival/the-2026- malta-book-festival/ Attendance to both events featuring Ian Rankin at the Mal- ta Book Festival '26 is free of charge, against registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested may register here: https://ktieb.submittable. com/submit Ian Rankin