Part-written by William McIlvanney who left a half-finished handwritten draft when he died in 2015, the novel was completed by Ian Rankin and published in 2021.

[1][2] See Canongate website, with interview with Ian Rankin: [3] Jack Laidlaw has been moved to the Central Division of the Glasgow Crime Squad.

Robert Frederick the commander of the Glasgow Crime Squad assigns DS Bob Lilley to keep an eye on him, saying Laidlaw's reputation has always preceded him .... who has he rubbed up the wrong way this month?

Bobby Carter the right-hand man and lawyer cum money launderer for Cam Colvin one of Glasgow's top gangsters has disappeared, and then his body is found – in Rhode's territory.

are celebrating the end of the case (at the Top Spot bar, Hope Street), Frederick says privately to Lilley that if he doesn’t manage to detonate himself in the near future, he might be in line for a swift promotion .... (although he is) not exactly a team player Laidlaw is in his late thirties.

He was interested in literature and philosophy, although his working-class parents expected him to get a meal ticket as a doctor or dentist (like his brother Scott, a teacher).