Ian ___, crime author (6) Crossword Clue
Answer: RANKIN (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Ian ___, crime author" with 6 letters is "RANKIN".Ian Rankin is a Scottish crime author, best known for his Inspector Rebus series, which follows the investigations of the titular detective in Edinburgh, blending complex mysteries with deep character development.
Why “Rankin” Fits
The clue asks for a 6-letter surname to complete “Ian ___, crime author.” The answer, RANKIN, fits perfectly:
- Crime Author: Ian Rankin is an internationally acclaimed Scottish crime novelist, best known for his Inspector Rebus detective series.
- Surname fill-in: The clue uses a blank to signal that you’re looking for the surname to match the well-known author.
This clear reference makes “RANKIN” the only correct answer for this clue.
The name “Ian Rankin” is synonymous with modern crime fiction:
- Born in 1960 in Scotland, Rankin published his first novel in the late 1980s.
- Inspector Rebus series: His most iconic character, Inspector John Rebus, is a hard-drinking, sharp-witted detective whose cases reveal the gritty underworld of Edinburgh.
- Awards: Rankin has earned multiple accolades and is considered one of the giants of contemporary British crime writing.
So “RANKIN” bridges both the clue’s requirement for a well-known surname and the literary reputation of the author.
In quick crosswords, clues formatted as “Forename ___, famous title or profession (letter count)” signal a surname, often:
- Used for famous authors, actors, or musicians.
- Almost always require the most widely recognized name matching both the profession and letter count.
- Useful to have a mental shortlist of popular literary surnames for clues about “crime author,” “detective writer,” or “novelist.”
Spotting the blank and the clue’s context rapidly narrows down options, especially in genres with a few dominant figures.
