The opening sentence in this book is "I'm not supposed to be here".  Detective Inspector John Rebus was now assigned to a Knoxland housing-scheme on the western edge of Edinburgh.  This was a place full of interracial tensions.  He was there because they were short-handed.  In addition, his own bosses didn't know what to do with him!

Detective Rebus joins an investigation into a murder.  The victim was an unidentified dark-skinned immigrant.  During the investigation, Rebus discovers there is a connection between the Knoxland murder and Whitemire Detention Center. 

Detective Sgt. Siobhan Clarke, who was also in A Question of Blood, is involved in a search to find a missing woman.  The parents have asked Sgt. Clarke to help in the search.  Clarke was involved in the case of the missing woman's sister year's ago.  She has committed suicide.

As always, Ian Rankin provides a novel that involves many subplots.  He does an excellent job of bringing them together in a fashion that is his trademark.  His stories are excellent police procedurals that give us a clear idea as to what happens behind the scenes.  This is an excellent read and one that is highly recommended. 

REVIEWED BY NANCY EATON

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE REVIEWER, NANCY EATON