In the summer of 1996, two boys run from a playground into the woods, but only one comes out. DS Tom Thorne takes the case, whichspirals out of control when two people connected with the missing boy are murdered. As London prepares to host the European Soccer Championships, Thorne fights to keep on top of a baffling investigation while also dealing with the fallout of his broken marriage. Following Their Little Secret, this 17th book in the series serves as a prequel to Sleepyhead, chronicling Thorne's early years on the police force.

"Tom Thorne is one of the most credible and engaging heroes in contemporary crime fiction…. Twenty years in and better than ever."—Ian Rankin