Caught in a huge explosion, Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel lies on a hospital bed, with only a life support system and his indomitable will between him and the Great Beyond. Meanwhile, his colleague, Chief Inspector Peter Pascoe, is determined to find those responsible, and in this 22nd outing (after Good Morning, Midnight) he discovers the Templars, a mysterious group that believes the only way to fight terrorism is through terror. Worse yet, these extremists may have support and sympathy in high places.