Politically motivated Assistant Commissioner Sir David Hillier assigns Detective Superintendent Thomas Lynley to the case. As a public relations maneuver, Hillier promotes Winston Nkata to Sergeant to be a black face to face the media. Barbara Havers, who is fighting for her professional future, is also assigned to the case. Hillier continues to interfere with the investigation, bringing in a profiler and then a member of the media to observe the progress of the investigation. All this is against Lynley's judgment. The tenacity and ingenuity of the killer and the savage nature of his crimes test the resources of the Yard. The strain of his concern for his pregnant wife, along with Hillier's continued tramping on his authority, takes a toll on Lynley, causing him to question his original motivation for joining Scotland Yard. The story's culmination comes with the shocking end of the investigation.

Perhaps the longest book George has written (but one of the best) this is a complex and intricately plotted story. The threads of different stories are woven together, and include Lynley's distraction with his wife's pregnancy and Havers' fight for her career and her involvement with her neighbor, Azhar, and his 8 year old daughter, Hadiyyah. The major characters are strong, likeable people with human flaws, just like real people who live and breathe, such as your neighbors. There is much excellent detail on police procedures which adds to the story. There are unexpected plot twists which only contribute to the suspense. And there is an ending which will shock the reader.

Don't be put off by the length of the book (774 pages). This book is well worth every page.