When a close colleague is brutally attacked, Inspector John Rebus is drawn into a case involving a hotel fire, an unidentified body, and a long-forgotten night of terror and murder. Pursued by dangerous ghosts and tormented by the coded secrets of his colleague's notebook, Rebus must piece together a jigsaw no one — perhaps not even he — wants completed.

Taggart star James Macpherson brings his 'police' experience to this captivating reading, which also draws on his extensive radio acting.

'A series that shows no signs of flagging ...The character of Rebus grows in moral stature' - Time Out.

'A classic personality detective story in the tradition of Holmes right through to Morse' - Birmingham Post.

'All Orion's Rankin releases make for absorbing listening.' - Christina Hardyment in the Independent.

This story may contain strong language, and some scenes described may be disturbing.

James Macpherson played DCI Jardine in Taggart for fifteen years — and then moved to The Bill. He has acted on stage in plays as diverse as The Taming of the Shrew and works by Hamish Wilson. He won the BBC Carleton Hobbs Award, and continues to work on radio. He presented a books programme for Radio Scotland and now co-presents a discussion of Scottish football. He lives in Glasgow.