Inspector John Rebus: The protagonist, a veteran detective nearing retirement.

Detective Sergeant Siobhan Clarke: Rebus's protégé and trusted colleague.

Professor Sandy Gates: A forensic pathologist who has appeared in previous Rebus novels.

Doctor Curt: Another forensic pathologist who has worked with Rebus before.

Mairie Henderson: A journalist who helps Rebus and Clarke with the investigation.

Morris Cafferty: An Edinburgh gangster who becomes involved in the case.

Richard Pennen: A weapons dealer who comes under suspicion.

James Corbyn: The new Chief Constable who tries to control the investigation.

David Steelforth: A Special Branch commander overseeing the G8 summit policing.

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Edinburgh Setting
The novel is set in Edinburgh during the 2005 G8 Summit at Gleneagles, when world leaders descended on Scotland. Rankin provides a vivid portrayal of his hometown, depicting the city under siege with heavy security and protests surrounding the summit. He explores the contrasts between the privileged elite and the local underworld thriving amidst the chaos.

G8 Summit and Protests
A central backdrop is the G8 Summit itself, with figures like George W. Bush, Tony Blair, and Bono making appearances. Rankin examines the protests and anarchist groups that converged on Edinburgh to demonstrate against the summit and global issues like poverty.

Murder Investigations
Amidst the summit chaos, Rebus investigates the suspicious death of a politician who fell from Edinburgh Castle during a pre-summit dinner. He also looks into the grisly murders of recently released rapists, which may be the work of a vigilante serial killer leaving clues at the "Clootie Well."

Rebus's Maverick Character
True to form, the curmudgeonly Rebus defies authority and protocol to pursue the cases, blurring boundaries between legal and ethical lines. Rankin explores Rebus's flaws, intuition, and contempt for privilege through his distinctive wit and irreverent perspective on the events.

By weaving a gripping crime narrative into the real-life backdrop of the 2005 G8 Summit in Edinburgh, Rankin provides an insightful and entertaining commentary on power, politics, and individual responsibility in the modern world.

Developed by Perplexity AI