Sign up for our newsletters! As a result, this book the 27th entry in the series marks a number of personal passages for Banks, as well as the resolution of a couple of professional cases that have formed an extended story arc over several prior novels. The deceased, Connor Clive Blaydon, is a shady real estate developer with a penchant for holding wild parties with his even shadier friends in attendance.
The case takes a horrific turn when a review of the video files determines that a rape took place. He does not realize that an assailant is much closer to him and his team than they can possibly suspect. Meanwhile, Banks cannot bury himself in his work and ignore developments on the home front.
His son, who has been part of an extremely popular rock band, is doing a farewell tour, while his daughter is getting married. These events cause Banks to take a couple of wistful strolls down memory lane, generating some woolgathering over those he has loved and lost, even as he seems to realize that he is simply unfit for romantic relationships and is better off without them.
Longtime readers of the series will happily note that this installment, as well as those that have preceded it, is full of references to musicians and albums both obscure and nearly forgotten, forming a soundtrack for reading in the present and contemplating in the future.
The Book Report Network. Skip to main content. Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub on March 19, All Rights Reserved.
