A girl's disappearance is tragedy enough, but when MacBain and Fletcher are called in after a prominent judge's daughter vanishes, it swiftly becomes clear that this is no accident, but a kidnapping. And it isn't only the girl's life that is in the balance. Someone wants to stop MacBain from cracking the case, and will do anything, including tearing Inverness apart with violence, to stop him.
But who? The crime family the judge is about to rule against in court? The rival gang looking to set up their enemies? Or someone else looking to send the city into chaos? It's up to MacBain to figure it out before it's too late!