Ralph Ember, owner of a shady drinking club, is playing a dangerous game. Someone knows of his plans to set up his own drugs syndicate. And that someone is not keen on the competition.

But who are Ralph's trade rivals? The ambitious Keith Vine? Cultured villain Mansel Shale? Perhaps even Detective Chief Constable Colin Harpur and his superior Desmond Iles, about whom there are rumours.

And Harpur is developing his own plan - one so secret it could cost him his job, so dangerous it could cost him his life . . .

'Extraordinary and electrifying' Val McDermid