This British mystery follows inspector Rebus and a colleague as they track patches of fabric discovered at a minor tourist attraction back to the killer who cut them from victim's clothing. In the same region, a prominent politician has fallen to his death at a G8 summit; needless to say, Rebus suspects foul play.

The back drop to this detailed and cleverly-plotted story is a series of massive public demonstrations against G8 policy. Rankin places sympathetic characters on both sides of the police barricades, and throws in a collection of love interests, lowlifes, and an obstructive government official.

The heavy-drinking, wisecracking, rule-flaunting inspector is not a very likable character; it seems like he would have yielded faster results and burned fewer bridges if his personality wasn't stuck on "noir". Other characterizations are excellent by mystery novel standards, however, and the writing is very tight. The slow pacing (this is a British mystery, after all) may put some readers off, but I found myself reading in to the wee hours.