CARDENDEN crime-writer Sir Ian Rankin will chat to author Richard Osman at what is set to be a page-turning event at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Sir Ian will chair one of a series of sessions called The Front List that will take place at McEwan Hall in a new partnership with Edinburgh Fringe producer Underbelly.

Author Osman will talk about his latest book at the festival and will be taking to the stage with the Fife writing legend to introduce the audience to Amy and Steve Wheeler, who are thought to be the first father and daughter in law detective combo in crime writing history.

In a session titled 'We Talk Murders', the former Pointless host will be chatting to Sir Ian on August 24 about killers, cats, and how sometimes, just when you think you know where you’re headed, life has other plans.

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The Front List will showcase an exciting programme of writers with nine events in the capital venue, just a short walk from the wider Book Festival site at Edinburgh Futures Institute.

Tickets go on sale at 10am this Thursday from the festival website.

Most events in this series will be streamed live and made available on-demand for digital audiences, and all events will be BSL interpreted and captioned.

Edinburgh International Book Festival director, Jenny Niven, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be presenting such a stellar line-up in a venue that will enable us to welcome more people than ever before, in partnership with our friends at Underbelly.

"These are just the first of our 2024 events, with a further incredible 500-plus still to be announced.

"Our Front List line up gives a taste of what's to come ranging from history to mystery, hope to romance, politics to comedy – and featuring some of the best interviewers in the business, including Mishal Husain and our very own Jackie Kay.

"This marks the first release of events as we open an exciting new chapter for the book festival - we can't wait to welcome audiences this August.”

Underbelly co-director, Charlie Wood, added: “This is such a great partnership to be part of, bringing together two of Edinburgh’s summer festivals in a crown jewel of the city, allowing a wider audience to see these amazing writers discuss their work in a venue with a fabulous and long history of speakers.

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"We’re delighted that the book festival will be part of our wider and soon to be announced McEwan Hall programme.”

Sir Ian, a University of Edinburgh graduate, is known across the world for his crime novels focused on Rebus, which are mostly based in and around the Scottish capital.

Knots & Crosses, the first in the series, was published in 1987 and Rebus now features in 26 books. They have been translated into 22 languages and have become bestsellers on several continents.

In 2019 the award-winning crime author donated his archive of 50 boxes and manuscripts to the National Library of Scotland, which have now been opened to the public.

The items stretch from 1972 to 2018 and include correspondence with literary figures, publishing companies and police officers.

In 2002, Sir Ian was made an OBE for services for literature, and a year later he was awarded an honorary doctorate from his former university.

He has since received honorary doctorates from the Open University and the University of Hull.

In 2015 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and the year after was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

He received a Knighthood from the Queen on her Birthday Honours list in 2022 for services to literature and charity.