Rebus's Edinburgh is a ghost town — crowded with the souls of the lost and forgotten ...

An unexpected call brings back memories and guilt for DI John Rebus of the Lothian and Borders police. An old schoolfriend's son has gone missing, and Brian Mee would like 'Johnny' to do a little digging on the side to put his wife's mind at rest. Then Rebus finds by chance a freed paedophile at the zoo with camera in hand. 'Outing' the man brings in the vigilantes, leaving Rebus with mixed feelings and another weight on his conscience.

But the last straw is a convicted killer, back on home ground after extradition from the US. Cary Oakes is looking to play games — with Rebus as his number one pawn.

Bill Paterson gives a taut and engrossing reading of this complex novel.

'Rankin has followed one success with another.'
Independent

Bill Paterson first appeared on the professional stage at the Citizens Theatre in his native Glasgow in 1967. Since then he has worked in such memorable productions as the original Guys and Dolls at the National Theatre and Death and the Maiden at the Royal Court. Television work includes Wives and Daughters, Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Trajfik, and films include The Killing Fields, Comfort and Joy and Truly, Madly, Deeply.