BEST-SELLING crime writer Ian Rankin is returning to the 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 book brings back memories of his friend and the inspiration for the title of the book, the singer Jackie Leven, who also appeared at the festival with Rankin on his first 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 Jackie 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 the soundtrack to Standing In Another Man’s Grave, the title of which was taken from one of Leven’s songs.

Cba, a firm of chartered accountants, will be sponsoring the festival’s 30th anniversary. Senior partner Chris 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.”

The festival takes place at Beverley Racecourse from June 21-23. Rankin will be peforming on the last day at 3pm.

For more details, visit beverleyfestival.com