Book 10 in the Inspector Rebus series.
A call from an old friend brings back memories and more than a little guilt for DI John Rebus of the Lothian and Borders police. Suddenly it seems Edinburgh's streets are crowded with the lost and forgotten.
An old schoolfriend's son has gone missing and Brian Mee would like "Johnny" to do a little digging on the side to put his wife's mind at rest. The ghost of Jack Morton, friend and colleague, is riding Rebus's dreams, not always helping with his caseload.
Stalking a poisoner at the local zoo, Rebus hits upon a freed paedophile, camera in hand. Outing the paedophile rouses the vigilantes and leaves Rebus with mixed feelings and another weight on his conscience. But the straw that looks like breaking Rebus's back comes courtesy of the US government. Feted by the tabloid press and put under Rebus's watchful eye, a convicted murderer is looking to play games - with Rebus as his number one pawn . . .
