Yes, John Rebus is sent to prison in Ian Rankin's novel, Midnight and Blue.
The Imprisonment of Rebus
The beloved detective John Rebus does indeed find himself behind bars. Following the events of A Heart Full of Headstones, where he was in court and about to be sentenced, the subsequent novel, Midnight and Blue, sees him sent to prison. This development marked a significant "curveball" for the character, a narrative decision by his creator, Ian Rankin, that surprised many readers who had anticipated A Heart Full of Headstones to be the final installment of the series.
Context of the Confinement
The decision to send Rebus to prison emerged after the conclusion of A Heart Full of Headstones. While that book ended with Rebus facing his fate in court, the actual imprisonment is a key plot point in the book that follows. This move allowed the series to continue in an unexpected direction, evolving the character's journey beyond what was initially envisioned as the series' end.
- Previous Book Climax: In A Heart Full of Headstones, Rebus was last seen in court, on the verge of sentencing.
- New Narrative Path: His actual incarceration occurs in Midnight and Blue, opening up new storytelling possibilities for the character.
- Author's Intent: Ian Rankin had considered A Heart Full of Headstones as a potential conclusion to the series, with Rebus's courtroom appearance providing a definitive ending. However, reader feedback and a desire to continue the character's narrative led to his unexpected imprisonment in the next book.
This narrative twist ensures that Rebus's story continues to evolve, pushing him into an unprecedented situation that challenges both the character and the reader's expectations.
For more details on Ian Rankin's thoughts on the Rebus series and its continuation, you can explore interviews discussing his work.