... There is corruption in high places, among the directors and politicians, always trying to further their careers, not caring who is in their way. Many witnesses to the murders lie to protect themselves and others around them so it becomes a large mess of files and paper, dating back over twenty years that Rebus has to untangle. The structure of the book is very complicated with flash backs incorporating the ongoing story of Rebus's tortured past--a bitter divorce, a daughter still recovering from a terrible accident, and a drinking problem. As the story is built up, layer-by-layer, other parts are revealed and shocking revelations are made, ending in an unexpected conclusion. The novel also incorporates the different viewpoints form each of the characters. Rankin adds a stalker who happens to be one of Rebus's colleagues, a couple of toughs who hang out in singles clubs and finish their evenings ...

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