The body of an art gallery owner is found dumped on Calton Hill. DS Clarke is put in charge of the investigation, while Rebus is sent back on an occupational therapy course. Far from being redeemed, Rebus falls in with two corrupt officers, who may have been involved in the murder…

The moderator elect of the Scottish church is found with his throat cut, naked in a car, next to a female passenger in a similar state - and in an area notorious for being used by lovers. The woman's jealous husband is initially considered the prime suspect, but when one of the rival candidates for the moderator position is also found, the plot thickens. Rebus investigates and discovers that the church's tendency to deal with matters internally and protect its own soon comes back to haunt them.

An unidentified body is found at the Macintosh House Hotel, venue for the World Trade Summit. Later, the body of a Scottish Executive minister is found beneath Edinburgh Castle. Rebus investigates, but soon finds himself at loggerheads with the commander of SO12, in charge of security for the summit.

A murder trial is abandoned when Rebus is accused of obtaining a wrongful confession by coercion, leaving him facing an internal investigation and the wrath of the victim's father. Then the accused is found murdered at the same spot as his alleged victim…