This the 13th in the addictive John Rebus series featuring the addicted cop who has become a favorite read for many. The book won an Edgar as best mystery in 2004 and I can’t really say why I hadn’t read it before this.

When he’s not boozing or smoking, Rebus is generally up to his neck in trouble. This novel is no exception. It begins with the detective throwing a tea mug at his supervisor, which gets him sent to Tulliallan, the Scottish police college, for retraining. We soon discover he has been ‘planted’ among other miscreants to investigate a group of other cops who are suspected of more serious misdeeds.

Meanwhile, Rebus’ acolyte, the recently promoted Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke is continuing investigation of the brutal murder of an art dealer. As they confer, by phone and in person, they discover their cases are linked, a situation which puts them both in danger. This is a convoluted tale which requires close attention. Highly enjoyable and recommended.