The world is watching.

And a killer is waiting...

When Detective Inspector John Rebus starts looking into the apparent suicide of an MP, he is abruptly told to drop the case.

Why? Because the leaders of the G8 are gathering in Scotland, and Rebus' bosses want him well out of the way. But Rebus never was one to follow orders...

With the help of Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke - who has a very personal reason for hunting down a riot cop - both Rebus and Clarke are set on a collision course against their own force.

And - with the eyes of the world on them - they soon uncover evidence that a serial killer may be waiting in the wings...

'Staggering ... At the top of his game' Daily Mail

'Masterly ... Rankin's finest novel' Scotsman

'The best crime novel you'll read this year' Sunday Telegraph