As Detective Inspector John Rebus tries to tie up some loose ends before retirement, a murder case intrudes. A dissident Russian poet has been found dead. A high-level delegation of Russian businessmen is in town, and everyone is determined that the case should be closed quickly. But Rebus and DS Siobhan Clarke become convinced that they are dealing with something more than a random attack. Meanwhile, a brutal and premeditated assault on a local gangster sees Rebus in the frame. Has the Inspector taken a step too far in tying up those loose ends?