In this second novel from multiple Dagger and Edgar Award winner Ian Rankin to bring together his two series heroes (following Standing in Another Man's Grave), detective John Rebus and internal affairs cop Malcolm Fox go head-to-head when a 30-year-old murder investigation resurfaces. Rebus was there the first time—a rookie cop running with a band of rogue detectives who called themselves the Saints—and he's been assigned to it again. But Fox is part of the investigation too, trying to find out whether some of Rebus's old buddies may have let a killer go free for their own gain. Fox has to wonder just who's side Rebus is on—and so does Rebus.

"Rankin shows no signs of losing steam with John Rebus...his interaction with Malcolm Fox works to build empathy for both characters, as fans discover a side of Fox not seen before.... Rankin's gift with dialogue, his wit and raw examination of human nature continue to intensify, resulting in a resonant reading experience for both seasoned series devotees and new Rebus recruits."—Shelf Awareness

"Longtime fans of the series will savor every nuance in the subtle interplay between characters here, but Rankin doesn't forget the thriller plot, either, corkscrewing the narrative into a surprising and satisfying conclusion. Hats off to a writer who can keep a long-running series fresh by upsetting our expectations and rummaging ever deeper into the rag-and-bone shop of his characters' hearts."—Booklist (starred review)