What is the name of the detective in the 'Inspector Rebus' series?

The detective in the “Inspector Rebus” series is John Rebus.

Created by Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin, Rebus first appeared in the 1987 novel Knots and Crosses. He works for the Lothian and Borders Police and investigates cases mainly in and around Edinburgh, making the city almost as important to the series as the crimes themselves.

Rebus is introduced as a Detective Sergeant and is later promoted to Detective Inspector. His character combines traditional investigative instincts with serious personal flaws: he is famously stubborn, drinks and smokes heavily, distrusts authority, and often bends police rules. His colleague Siobhan Clarke serves as a younger, more technically minded foil and trusted partner.

A common mix-up comes from the television adaptations, where Rebus has been played by several actors, including John Hannah, Ken Stott, and Richard Rankin. Those performers portray the same fictional detective; the character himself remains John Rebus.