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Cameron Colley is a 30-ish Scottish journalist with liberal leanings, a tendency to binge on alcohol and other (illicit) stimulants, and an ongoing clandestine relationship with his childhood sweetheart Yvonne. Unfortunately for Cameron, Yvonne is married to their mutual friend William. A more serious problem is presented by the exploits of a Dexter-like serial killer, who is engaged in a spree of execution-style killings of prominent business leaders and corrupt politicians for which he is systematically framing Cameron.

Iain Banks weaves these plot ingredients into a well-constructed, fast-paced story that draws the reader in and doesn't let go. There are similarities with some of his other books - in particular, Cameron bears a marked resemblance to the main protagonists of "The Crow Road" and " The Steep Approach to Garbadale" (smart, funny, twenty-something loner, with a lurking childhood secret which he will have to come to terms with before the story finishes). But this is a minor criticism - like the narrators in the other two books Cameron is good company - always engaging, and generally entertaining. And Iain Banks has the writing chops to pull it all together with - what's the expression I'm looking for? - oh yes, considerable aplomb .