Changes

He's not with the police any more, but that doesn't stop him being ''interested'' - well ''involved'' would probably be more accurate - when there are disturbances in the dark heart of Edinburgh's underworld. Darryl Christie has been seen as the coming man of late, but a vicious attack leaves him weakened and vulnerable. There's an enquiry into a major money-laundering scheme which threatens him. But what's Big Ger Cafferty's position in all this? He's looked as though he was retiring recently, but is he looking to make a comeback?

DI Siobhan Clarke and DI Malcolm Fox aren't entirely certain whether or not they appreciate Rebus's 'help', but it's obvious that no matter how good they are, it's Rebus who has the best local knowledge, contacts and pure ''instinct'' for what's going on: he's also got an appropriately twisted mind. Not carrying a warrant card doesn't stop him from acting as a policeman. You will have to suspend disbelief to some extent about the access Rebus has as a civilian - but it's a small price to pay for a darned good story. As always with Rankin the issues are of the moment - the ongoing effects of the banking crisis and money laundering - but only to the extent that they're part of the wider story rather than dominating it.