The twenty-second novel in Number One bestselling author Peter Robinson's critically acclaimed DCI Banks series.

Two missing boys.

A stolen bolt gun.

One fatal shot.

Three ingredients for murder.

When DCI Banks and his team are called to investigate the theft of a tractor from a North Yorkshire village, they're far from enthusiastic about what seems to be a simple case of rural crime. Then a blood stain is found in an abandoned hangar, two main suspects vanish without a trace, and events take a darkly sinister turn.

As each lead does little to unravel the mystery, Banks feels like the case is coming to a dead end. Until a road accident reveals some alarming evidence, which throws the investigation to a frightening new level.

Someone is trying to cover their tracks - someone with very deadly intent . . .

"Classic Robinson: labyrinthine plot merged with deft characterisation" - Observer

"Peter Robinson deserves a place near, perhaps even at the top of, the British crime writers' league" - The Times

"A real page-turner that confirms Robinson as a master of crime fiction" - Bella Magazine

"As always with the excellent DCI Alan Banks novels, you can expect the story to grip you from beginning to end" - Choice

"[Peter Robinson deserves a place] near, perhaps even at the top of, the British crime writers' league" - The Times

"It's neither the setting nor even the characters that makes Robinson's work so satisfying, but the plotting of Swiss-watch precision" - Independent

"Classic Robinson: labyrinthine plot merged with deft characterisation" - Observer

"As always with the excellent DCI Alan Banks novels, you can expect the story to grip you from beginning to end." - Choice

"A real page-turner that confirms Robinson as a master of crime fiction." - Bella Magazine