Ian Rankin criticizes London wealth inequality in new novel

Crime novelist Ian Rankin has described London as a “hollowed-out” city characterized by a stark divide between the ultra-wealthy and the service workers who support them. The author noted that luxury developments often remain dark and empty, occupied only seasonally by foreign billionaires and oligarchs, while the essential staff—such as cleaners, security guards, and chauffeurs—remain disconnected from the luxury they maintain.

These themes of social and political inequality serve as the foundation for Rankin’s new thriller, “The Heights.” Set in an exclusive residential tower in Knightsbridge overlooking Hyde Park, the novel explores the lives of the rich and famous through the investigation of a concierge's murder. Rankin stated that his interest in the city's luxury property market was inspired by observing the contrast between palatial, often vacant, apartments and the transient nature of their high-profile residents.