Edinburgh, 'a mad god's dream / Fitful and dark', is about to become the home of the first Scottish parliament in nigh on three hundred years. It's a momentous time and political passions run high ...
Detective Inspector John Rebus is charged with liaison, thanks to the new parliament being resident at Queensberry House bang in the middle of his St. Leonard's patch. Queensberry House is home not just to the new Scotland's rulers to be, but to the legend of a young man roasted on a spit by a madman. A fate befitting its new inhabitants, some would say. When the fireplace where the youth died is uncovered, another more recent murder victim is brought out into the daylight. Days later, in the gardens outside, Queensberry House's third body is found. This time the victim is no mummified mystery man, but Roddy Grieve, a prospective MSP, and the powers that be are on Rebus's back demanding instant answers. Roddy Grieve's notoriety brings a whole host of problems, including his seductive sister Lorna, one of Rebus's youthful fantasies made flesh.
What's worse, as the case progresses, the Inspector finds himself face to face with one of Edinburgh's most notorious criminals - a man he thought safely out of harm's way for years to come. Someone's going to make a lot of money out of Scotland's independence and where there's big money at stake, darkness gathers...