by Ian Rankin
Part of Inspector Rebus, book 7
First published 1998
Detective Inspector John Rebus faces his most challenging case yet when a routine investigation spirals into something far more dangerous. Edinburgh's underbelly reveals itself as Rebus uncovers connections between seemingly unrelated crimes. Political figures, criminals, and police officers become entangled in a web of corruption that reaches the highest levels of power. As Rebus digs deeper, he discovers that some secrets are worth killing for. The detective must navigate treacherous waters where allies become enemies and the line between justice and vengeance blurs. Meanwhile, his relationship with his daughter Sammy grows more strained, and his drinking threatens to derail both his career and his personal connections. Rebus realizes that solving this case may cost him everything he values, but walking away means letting the guilty escape justice.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: corruption, enemies-to-allies, investigation, moral-ambiguity, personal-stakes
Setting: Edinburgh
Period: Contemporary
292 pages · St. Martin's Paperbacks
Content warnings: alcohol-abuse, violence