Much of the action is set in the small town of Helensburg where most of the population is under the control of Mark Barratt, a criminal who has never been convicted of a crime. The members of the town are reluctant to reveal any information about what is actually happening in the community for fear of reprisals.
A series of crimes and investigations are intertwined in this novel. Iain Fraser is forced to participate in the death of a woman to pay a debt and protect a friend. As usual when a crime is committed Mark Barratt is out of town but his heavies, particularly Tommy Farmer, ensure that his orders are carried out. Much of the novel concerns the effects of the murder on Iain as he worries about what he has done. Then Susan Grierson returns to Helensburgh to arrange the sale of the family home after the death of her mother. She reconnects with Iain and his cousin Boyd who have long connections with the town but is she who she says she is? Meanwhile DI Alex Morrow investigaties the disappearance of Roxanna Fuentecilla, the mother of two children. It soon becomes obvious that there is a mystery about Roxanna's business enterprises.
Part of the power of this novel is that the reader gets to know the character and thoughts of those involved in the crimes committed as well as how the police attempt to discover what is really happening. There are several mentions of divisions within Police Scotland adding to the challenges for police officers trying to solve crimes and protect the community. The different stories become intertwined with the suspense growing as the novel comes to a conclusion.
Other books in the Alex Morrow series include Still Midnight, The End of the Wasp Season, Gods and Beasts, and The Red Road.
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