In this early Inspector Rebus novel, a body is discovered in a derelict Edinburgh squat, posed in what appears to be a ritualistic setting. What initially looks like a fringe occult crime soon leads Rebus into far more disturbing territory, exposing links between the city’s underworld and its most powerful institutions. As the investigation deepens, long-buried secrets and systemic corruption come to light.
Ian Rankin, one of Scotland’s most celebrated crime writers, crafts a dark, atmospheric procedural that explores power, class, morality, and the uneasy relationship between authority and justice. Taut and intelligent, this is a compelling entry in the acclaimed Rebus series and a gripping portrait of Edinburgh’s hidden shadows.