BEST-SELLING crime writer Ian Rankin is returning to Beverley Folk Festival this year.
Rankin, the creator of Inspector Rebus, will be reading from, and talking about, his latest award-winning novel, Standing in Another Man's Grave.
The author's appearance is great news for Chris Brown, one of the senior partners at accountancy firm Cba, which is sponsoring the festival this year.
Mr Brown said: "I have always enjoyed reading Ian Rankin's novels.
"Music has a massive influence on his writing and provides his character with inspiration which leads him to solve his cases."
Rankin's new book brings back memories of his late friend and the inspiration for the title of the book, the singer Jackie Leven, who also appeared at the festival with Rankin on a previous visit.
Rankin will be joined at the festival by two of Leven's long-term collaborators, who will be contributing musically to the performance.
Deborah Greenwood was Leven's partner in life and in music for the last 15 years of his life.
She will be joined on stage by Michael Weston King to sing some of the songs that form a soundtrack to Standing In Another Man's Grave, the title of which was taken from one of Leven's songs.
The appearance of one of the UK's best-known authors cements the fact Beverley Folk Festival is about much more than just music.
This year, the festival has linked up with a leading East Riding arts centre to provide a wider range of entertainment than ever before.
Organisers are determined to make the best of switching to the new venue – Beverley Racecourse – and are working alongside Pocklington Arts Centre to offer a wide selection of comedy.
As well as a huge folk offering, including big-name artists such as The Proclaimers and the Oysterband, the festival from June 21 to June 23 will welcome comics including John Shuttleworth and Irish/Iranian stand-up Patrick Monahan.
Festival chairman Chris Wade said: "We want to attract people to the festival, it's not just about folk music.
"We decided this year we would give it a big push. And we knew the racecourse already held comedy nights.
"We are in partnership with Pocklington Arts Centre as well as with different arts groups in the region. We've asked Pocklington to help run the comedy."
The switch to Beverley Racecourse from the leisure means the festival will have a larger capacity and better parking. Comedy will be on throughout the weekend.
Ian Rankin will be performing on the last day of the festival, starting at 3pm.
Visit www.beverleyfestival.com or call 01377 217569.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
