Written by Ian Rankin
Format: MP3

When Gregor Jack, an independent MP for part of Edinburgh, is caught up in a brothel raid, Rebus smells a rat. Particularly as the press have been ticked off and are found queuing outside waiting for the photos.

In the days that follow, as Jack's life unravels and his wife disappears, Rebus starts to untangle the mixture of friends and acquaintances hidden behind the veneer. Negotiating his way through office politics that want a neat solution, Rebus also puzzles over his own personal relationships.

Unlike Peter Robinson's books, where the continuity is almost obsessive, Rankin is happy to leave gaps in the personal stories. Rebus is now in an off-on relationship with psychologist Dr Patience Aitken, who is looking for greater commitment, wanting Rebus to move in, whilst he is less certain - committed firstly to his job, but also with unresolved issues from his early relationship with Gill Templar.

A fine story, with some good and unexpected twists, helped by plenty of credible suspects. Also some good evocative descriptions of different Scottish areas and communities from the Kingdom of Fife to the Highlands.

Quite a good first book for anyone who's not read Rebus before - not the first in the series, but makes sense as a free standing story whilst giving a feel both for Rankin's writing style and for the developing Rebus character.