Malcolm Fox and his team from the Scottish police's Internal Affairs are back. Their new mission is to travel to Fife to investigate whether their colleagues there covered up for the corrupt constable Paul Carter, who has been found guilty of inappropriate behavior. The main accuser and pursuer of Carter is his uncle, a former constable. This seemingly simple case will be complicated by the suspicions of conspiracy and cover-up that accompany it, as well as a violent murder.
The investigation will lead Fox back in time, to 1985, when Great Britain was shaken by violent political turmoil. Terrorists, fanatical nationalists, and advocates for Scotland's independence from Great Britain were becoming increasingly ruthless at that time: they sent poisoned letters to government offices, planned kidnappings and murders, and managed to stay ahead of the spies and hunters that the government had unleashed against them. It is Fox's duty to uncover the truth, while the body count rises and time is running out...
WHAT THE PRESS SAID
Intense, gripping, and exceedingly enjoyable, it has much to say about the limits of memory and the dangers of historical idealism. Guardian
Unmatched is Rankin's ability to construct a plot with pace and to weave together characters, while beneath the stormy action lies social commentary. Big Issue
A depiction of personal and political alienation, an exploration of the methods used to combat terrorism, and a reflection on the necessity or otherwise of deceit. Times Literary Supplement
No one writes such vivid, intense dialogue as Rankin. Evening Standard
After the wonderful dark series with Inspector Rebus, we now have a second with Inspector Malcolm Fox. Rankin at his best, in his most mature moment. Reader's Digest
This second installment solidifies a complex and extremely interesting hero, Inspector Malcolm Fox, while simultaneously securing Ian Rankin's place at the forefront of crime literature. We Love This Book
We're talking about Rankin here, so the plot will be tight, the dialogues are pure fire, and the crimes disturbingly believable. However, what the creator of Inspector Rebus achieves here is to offer us another complex, determined detective who, although grumpy, miserable, and lonely, is absolutely charming. Observer
Rankin remains the crime writer of crime writers – an idealist with a crystal-clear view of a dirty world. Voyager
