Violence erupts at an anti-nuclear demonstration in Eastvale, leaving one policeman stabbed to death. At first there are over a hundred suspects, but then things narrow down to the people who live on "Maggie's Farm", an isolated house high on the daleside. Among the suspects is Dennis Osmond, a social worker involved with Jenny Fuller, Inspector Banks's friend. As if this isn't enough to cope with, Banks finds his freedom hampered by the appointment of an old enemy, Detective Superintendent Richard 'Dirty Dick' Burgess, to head the investigation. Finally, warned off the case, the only way Banks can salvage his career is by beating Burgess to the killer...

The third Inspector Banks novel

In the usually peaceful town of Eastvale, a simmering tension has now reached breaking point. An anti-nuclear demonstration has ended in violence, leaving one policeman stabbed to death. Fired by professional outrage, Superintendent 'Dirty Dick' Burgess descends with vengeful fury on the inhabitants of 'Maggie's Farm', an isolated house high on the daleside. Inspector Banks is uneasy about Burgess's handling of the investigation. But he has been warned off the case. Soon Banks realizes that the only way he can salvage his career is by beating Burgess to the killer ...'Inspector Banks -- a man for all seasons, he knows that often the answers to the clues he seeks are hidden in his own heart' Michael Connelly 'An award-winning writer with ideas that are imaginative and plots that are refreshingly cliche-free' Time Out 'If you haven't caught up with Peter Robinson already, now is the time to start' Independent on Sunday