Robert Rankin Popular Books

Robert Rankin Biography & Facts

Robert Fleming Rankin (born 27 July 1949) is a prolific British author of comedic fantasy novels. Born in Parsons Green, London, he started writing in the late 1970s, and first entered the bestsellers lists with Snuff Fiction in 1999, by which time his previous eighteen books had sold around one million copies. His books are a mix of science fiction, fantasy, the occult, urban legends, running gags, metafiction, steampunk and outrageous characters. According to the (largely fictional) biography printed in some Corgi editions of his books, Rankin refers to his style as 'Far Fetched Fiction' in the hope that bookshops will let him have a section to himself. Many of Rankin's books are bestsellers. Most of Rankin's books are set in Brentford, a suburb of London where the author grew up, and which, in his novels, is usually infested with alien conspiracies and ancient evil. In addition to his novels, Rankin held a position as the Writer in Residence of Brentford's Watermans Arts Centre during the 1980s, and organised a regular poetry event there which he claims was the largest in Britain. He also has performed on stage with bands. Rankin's fan club, The Order of the Golden Sprout (named after Rankin's fixation with the vegetable), maintain a website and arrange events, many around Brentford. In 2009 he was created the first Fellow of The Victorian Steampunk Society in recognition of his contribution to the genre. He lives in Brighton with his wife, Dr. Rachel Hayward-Rankin. During 2012, Rankin published his first 23 novels (up to and including Fandom of the Operator) on Kindle through his own publishing enterprise, Far Fetched Books, with new cover artwork, making them available to a wider audience, despite many of them being out of print. Bibliography The Antipope (1981) (First book of The Brentford Trilogy) The Brentford Triangle (1982) (Second book The Brentford Trilogy) East of Ealing (1984) (Third book of The Brentford Trilogy) The Sprouts of Wrath (1988) (Fourth book of The Brentford Trilogy) Armageddon: The Musical (1988) (Armageddon Series) They Came and Ate Us (Armageddon II: The B Movie) (1991) (Armageddon Series) The Suburban Book of the Dead (Armageddon III: The Remake) (1992) (Armageddon Series) The Book of Ultimate Truths (1993) (Cornelius Murphy Series) Raiders of the Lost Car Park (1994) (Cornelius Murphy Series) The Greatest Show Off Earth (1994) The Most Amazing Man Who Ever Lived (1995) (Cornelius Murphy Series) The Garden of Unearthly Delights (1995) A Dog Called Demolition (1996) Nostradamus Ate My Hamster (1996) Sprout Mask Replica (1997) The Brentford Chainstore Massacre (1997) (Fifth book of The Brentford Trilogy) The Dance of the Voodoo Handbag (1998) Apocalypso (1998) Snuff Fiction (1999) Sex and Drugs and Sausage Rolls (1999) (Sixth book of The Brentford Trilogy) Waiting for Godalming (2000) Web Site Story (2001) Fandom of the Operator (2001) The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse (2002) The Witches of Chiswick (2003) Knees Up Mother Earth (2004) (Seventh book of The Brentford Trilogy) The Brightonomicon (2005) (Eighth book of The Brentford Trilogy) The Toyminator (2006) The Da-da-de-da-da Code (2007) Necrophenia (2008) Retromancer (2009) (Ninth book of The Brentford Trilogy) The Japanese Devil Fish Girl and Other Unnatural Attractions (2010) The Mechanical Messiah and Other Marvels of the Modern Age (2011) The Educated Ape and Other Wonders of the Worlds (2012) The Chickens of Atlantis and Other Foul and Filthy Fiends (2013) The Abominable Showman (2015) I, Robert (2015) The Lord of the Ring Roads (2017) (The Final Brentford Trilogy Book 1) The Chronicles of Banarnia (2019) (The Final Brentford Trilogy Book 2) Normanghast (2023) (The Final Brentford Trilogy Book 3) Anthologies containing stories by Robert Rankin The Mammoth Book of Comic Fantasy (1998) Short stories The Boscombe Walters Story (1996) Illustrated works The Bumper Book of Ficts Neil Gardner, illustrated by Robert Rankin (2010) EMPIRES written and illustrated by Robert Rankin (2011) ALICE ON MARS written and illustrated by Robert Rankin (2013) THE DIVINE COMMODORE (or 'THE KIWI CHRONICLES') written and illustrated by Robert Rankin (2014) ’’THE BOOK WITH NO WORDS’’ ‘written’ and illustrated by Robert Rankin (2021) Awards British Fantasy Society Best Novel nominee (1997) for The Brentford Chainstore Massacre SFX Best Novel Award Winner (2003) for The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse British Fantasy Society Best Novel nominee (2006) for The Brightonomicon Coventry Inspiration Book Awards (2007) Lost Worlds: for The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse The Hub Best Comedy (Audio) Award for "The Brightonomicon - Audio Series" Fellow of The Victorian Steampunk Society (2009) Other media In 2008, The Brightonomicon was adapted into a 13-part full-cast audio drama by Hokus Bloke Productions and BBC Audiobooks starring David Warner, Andy Serkis, Jason Isaacs, Ben Miller, Rupert Degas, Mark Wing-Davey, Martin Jarvis and Sarah Douglas. Initially released as a 7-CD boxset and as a digital download, the series has now been re-edited for radio transmission, and Robert's first ever radio series aired on BBC7 from 23 August to 15 November 2008. Rankin has also had his novel The Antipope dramatised for audio, and has also read unabridged versions of many of his novels as audiobooks. He recorded eleven of his titles for Audible. His free, full colour webcomic called Robert Rankin's Empires for Beyond Reality Media in New Zealand, can be viewed online, and illustrated work Alice on Mars will also be released via the same website. The Brightonomicon - audio drama and radio series (BBC7) The Antipope - audio drama and audiobook The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse - audiobook The Toyminator - audiobook The Fandom of the Operator - audiobook Nostradamus Ate My Hamster - audiobook Art and illustration Rankin studied at Ealing School of Art, where he was a contemporary of Freddie Mercury and Alan Lee. He worked for Playboy magazine and illustrated a book about The Beatles before his portfolio was stolen and he abandoned the idea of working as a professional illustrator. However he created many of the sculptures which feature on his book covers, many of which were on display at The Collection, a gallery in Lincoln during September 2010. Some of these works were previously exhibited in Waterstones, Brighton, and at Gunnersbury Park Museum in 2007-8. In 2009 Rankin was commissioned by his publisher to provide a series of new illustrations for his back catalogue of books (from The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse to the present), he also created new internal illustrations for The Brightonomicon, Retromancer and The Japanese Devil Fish Girl and Other Unnatural Attractions. A cartoon by Rankin "The Robot and the Elongated Author" was published in Issue 13 of Murky Depths, and 2010 also saw the publication of his first illustrated book, written by Neil.... 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Best Seller Robert Rankin Books of 2024

  • Wycliffe and the Winsor Blue synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Winsor Blue

    W.J. Burley

    A mysterious death in the Cornish art world and a murder investigation for Chief Superintendent Wycliffe...When Edwin Garland dies of a heart attack, no one outside the expectant ...

  • Shadow Man synopsis, comments

    Shadow Man

    Margaret Kirk

    'Shadow Man is a harrowing and horrific game of consequences.' Val McDermid THE FIRST COMPELLING SCOTTISH CRIME THRILLER IN THE GRIPPING DI LUKAS MAHLER SERIESTwo sistersJust befo...

  • Wycliffe and the Scapegoat synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Scapegoat

    W.J. Burley

    An ancient legend, an alltoo modern murder, and Chief Superintendent Wycliffe must find the link between them ...Every year, at Halloween, high on the Cornish cliffs, a lifesized e...

  • The Darkest Goodbye synopsis, comments

    The Darkest Goodbye

    Alex Gray

    Discover your next reading obsession with Alex Gray's bestselling Scottish detective series Don't miss the latest from Alex Gray. ECHO OF THE DEAD is out in paperback in November 2...

  • Wycliffe and How to Kill A Cat synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and How to Kill A Cat

    W.J. Burley

    Another classic crime novel featuring Cornwall's Superintendent Wycliffe.The girl was young, with auburn hair arranged on the pillow. Wycliffe could almost believe she was asleep ...

  • The Night Train synopsis, comments

    The Night Train

    Sharon Bolton

    Return to the worlds of The Craftsman and Lacey Flint in this first short story collection from Sharon Bolton, International awardwinning author of The Split. This collection featu...

  • Shadow of a Doubt synopsis, comments

    Shadow of a Doubt

    Michelle Davies

    'Pure suspense, where past and present collide with chilling results' Erin Kelly'A hugely entertaining, fastpaced thriller' Caz Frear'It's a pitchperfect blend of ghostly terror an...

  • The Guilty Wife synopsis, comments

    The Guilty Wife

    Elle Croft

    THE TOP 10 EBOOK BESTSELLER 'A gripping tale of betrayal, deceit, and duplicity. Fabulous.' Jenny Blackhurst, author of How I Lost You 'Relentless and intense...I loved the final ...

  • Before the Storm synopsis, comments

    Before the Storm

    Alex Gray

    Discover your next reading obsession with Alex Gray's Sunday Times bestselling Scottish detective series Don't miss the latest from Alex Gray. Book 20 in the Lorimer series, QUEST...

  • Wycliffe And The Last Rites synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe And The Last Rites

    W.J. Burley

    The Cornish Detective seriesA puzzling murder mystery. A tough new case for Detective Wycliffe to investigate.'You can always count on Wycliffe' FINANCIAL TIMES'GRIPPING' THE TIME...

  • Denial synopsis, comments

    Denial

    Peter James

    Introducing policeman Glenn Branson...When actress Gloria Lamark takes her own life, her devoted son, Thomas, is heartbroken. Something must be wrong with a world in which such a t...

  • Echo of the Dead synopsis, comments

    Echo of the Dead

    Alex Gray

    THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES Don't miss the latest from Alex Gray. Book 20 in the Lorimer series, QUESTIONS FOR A DEAD MAN, is out now and Book 21, OUT OF DARKNESS, is avai...

  • The Inheritance synopsis, comments

    The Inheritance

    Howard Linskey

    You will inherit everything. The house. The money.There's just one condition.You have to catch a killer first . . .THE GRIPPING NEW THRILLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF DON'T LET HIM INWhen...

  • The Truth synopsis, comments

    The Truth

    Peter James

    20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION FROM THE AUTHORA thrilling tale of suspense from the bestselling author of the Roy Grace series.'Britain's answer to Stephen King a...

  • Betrayal synopsis, comments

    Betrayal

    Will Jordan

    If you are looking for an adrenalinfuelled, bloodpumping, breakneck speed thriller then look no further than Will Jordan's third novel featuring British CIA agent Ryan Drake. Compe...

  • Cut to the Bone synopsis, comments

    Cut to the Bone

    Roz Watkins

    ‘ONE OF THE BEST CRIME WRITERS OUT THERE’ Elly Griffiths ‘I BARELY CAME UP FOR AIR’ Jo Furniss‘CONFIRMS WATKINS IN THE FRONT RANK OF BRITISH CRIME WRITERS' Daily Mail‘A RIVETI...

  • The Complete Dangerous Davies synopsis, comments

    The Complete Dangerous Davies

    Leslie Thomas

    As plainclothes men go, Dangerous Davies looks like a nonstarter. The small fry of petty larceny and minor disturbances in the backwaters of northwest London are his daily round. H...

  • Nightfall Berlin synopsis, comments

    Nightfall Berlin

    Jack Grimwood

    'Noteperfect, multilayered, rugged as a T34 tank. Grimwood is about to become your new favourite thriller writer' IndependentA tense, atmospheric and breathtaking thriller that dro...

  • Wycliffe and the Quiet Virgin synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Quiet Virgin

    W.J. Burley

    Wycliffe investigates the disappearance of a young girl and becomes involved in a major criminal investigation . . .Chief Superintendent Wycliffe doubted whether he would enjoy hi...

  • Wycliffe and the Cycle of Death synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Cycle of Death

    W.J. Burley

    A respectable bookseller is found bludgeoned and strangled and it's up to Chief Superintendent Wycliffe to find out why . . .When Matthew Glynn is murdered, Wycliffe is mystified. ...

  • Questions for a Dead Man synopsis, comments

    Questions for a Dead Man

    Alex Gray

    Your favourite Scottish detective returns in 2023 in an enthralling new mystery'Immensely exciting and atmospheric' ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH 'Move over Rebus' Daily Mail 'Exciting, p...

  • Identity Crisis synopsis, comments

    Identity Crisis

    Ben Elton

    Why are we all so hostile? So quick to take offence? Truly we are living in the age of outrage. A series of apparently random murders draws amiable, oldschool Detective Mick Matloc...

  • Wycliffe and the Pea Green Boat synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Pea Green Boat

    W.J. Burley

    Wycliffe tackles a case which reaches back down the generations ...When Cedric Tremain is charged with murdering his father by boobytrapping his fishing boat, all the locals are ag...

  • Wycliffe and the Dead Flautist synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Dead Flautist

    W.J. Burley

    Classic crime featuring the everpopular Chief Superintendent Wycliffe 'Another must for collectors' Sunday Times.On the peaceful and secluded estate of Lord and Lady Bottrell, th...

  • Betrayal synopsis, comments

    Betrayal

    Stewart Binns

    'Brilliant. An explosive thriller with true authenticity' Tom Marcus, bestselling author of Soldier Spy January, 1981. They're undercover in Belfast.Determined to put an end to a w...

  • The Four Symbols synopsis, comments

    The Four Symbols

    Giacometti & Ravenne

    From multimillion copy bestselling authors Giacometti & Ravenne comes a Nazi spy thriller for fans of Dan Brown, Steve Berry and Wilbur Smith"I couldn't put it down ... the aut...

  • Beyond Reach synopsis, comments

    Beyond Reach

    Graham Hurley

    'There is no one writing better police procedurals today.' Daily TelegraphA brutal hitandrun killing opens the path to a 25yearold crime...Past midnight, a horribly mutilated body ...

  • Wycliffe And The Redhead synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe And The Redhead

    W.J. Burley

    The Cornish Detective seriesThe discovery of a body in a quarry creates a baffling case for Detective Superintendent Wycliffe'Firstclass, oldtime, hyperingenious whodunit' OBSERVER...

  • In the Blood synopsis, comments

    In the Blood

    Margaret Kirk

    The bloated remains of a man are discovered bound to a derelict pier in Orkney and newly promoted DCI Lukas Mahler dispatches a team to investigate. But when the body is identified...

  • Wycliffe and the Beales synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Beales

    W.J. Burley

    A mysterious death ... an eccentric family living on the edge of Dartmoor ... And Chief Superintendent Wycliffe has one of his most complex cases to date.The Cornish Detective seri...

  • Wycliffe and the Three Toed Pussy synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Three Toed Pussy

    W.J. Burley

    A case involving a dead woman with a deformed foot and a mysterious past requires all Superintendent Wycliffe's investigative skills.The peace of the village of Kergwyns in Cornwal...

  • Wycliffe and the House of Fear synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the House of Fear

    W.J. Burley

    A troubling disappearance. A puzzling mystery. A new investigation for Detective Wycliffe.Detective Superintendent Wycliffe is holidaying in Cornwall when he meets the intriguing K...

  • Wycliffe And The Guild Of Nine synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe And The Guild Of Nine

    W.J. Burley

    A murder at an artists' colony but not everyone wants Chief Superintendent Wycliffe to investigate . . .The artists' colony is at the site of a disused mine working on the moor we...

  • Found Her synopsis, comments

    Found Her

    NJ Mackay

    The most gripping, emotional and redemptive psychological thriller of 2021 for fans of Erin Kinsley, Lisa Jewell, Louise Jensen, Phoebe Morgan, CL Taylor, Cara Hunter and KL Slate...

  • Heart of the City synopsis, comments

    Heart of the City

    Robert Rotenberg

    In the latest thrilling crime novel from bestselling author Robert Rotenberg, Homicide Detective Ari Greene discovers the bludgeoned body of Toronto’s most reviled developer behind...

  • Downfall synopsis, comments

    Downfall

    Robert Rotenberg

    INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLERDetectives dig into the dark side of Toronto when a serial killer targets homeless people camped out near one of the city’s most exclusive enclaves in th...

  • The Man on the Street synopsis, comments

    The Man on the Street

    Trevor Wood

    'Fresh, original, authentic and gritty should be an instant classic' LEE CHILD NO ONE SEES HIM. BUT HE SEES EVERYTHING.It started with a splash. Jimmy, a homeless veteran grappli...

  • Wycliffe and the School Bullies synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the School Bullies

    W.J. Burley

    Bullying and persecution among a group of schoolgirls leads to violent retribution and a race against time for Wycliffe.Two very different young women have been murdered within the...

  • Still Dark synopsis, comments

    Still Dark

    Alex Gray

    Discover your next reading obsession with Alex Gray's bestselling Scottish detective series Don't miss the latest from Alex Gray. Book 20 in the Lorimer series, QUESTIONS FOR A DEA...

  • Wycliffe and the Four Jacks synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and the Four Jacks

    W.J. Burley

    A murder committed in the night of dead. It's all a game for Detective Wycliffe to solve in a puzzling case.Writer David Cleeve lived exactly the way a bestselling novelist should ...

  • Sacrifice synopsis, comments

    Sacrifice

    Will Jordan

    Let bestselling author Will Jordan take you on a breakneck speed ride with CIA agent Ryan Drake in this compelling and unmissable thriller. Fans of Lee Child, Vince Flynn and David...

  • When Shadows Fall synopsis, comments

    When Shadows Fall

    Alex Gray

    Discover your next reading obsession with Alex Gray's Sunday Times bestselling Scottish detective series Don't miss the latest from Alex Gray. Book 20 in the Lorimer series, QUEST...

  • Wycliffe and Death in Stanley Street synopsis, comments

    Wycliffe and Death in Stanley Street

    W.J. Burley

    A young girl is found dead in a house on Stanley Street... but it's just the start of a complex puzzle which Wycliffe must unravel.A dubious culdesac just off the busy main road in...

  • Never Somewhere Else synopsis, comments

    Never Somewhere Else

    Alex Gray

    Discover your next reading obsession with this iconic first novel in Alex Gray's bestselling Scottish detective series. Perfect for fans of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Ann Cleeve...