DI Tom Mariner's home life is beginning to look more and more settled. There's talk of a move to the country, even kids, and for once Mariner isn't running for the hills at the thought of
commitment. His peace is shattered when, on the day of a communitycarol concert, an explosion rocks the centre of Birmingham and he and Anna are caught up in the aftermath. As colleagues
struggle to deal with the after-effects, an unexpected reunion with an old friend thrusts Mariner into the unofficial investigation of a double murder to which he is inextricably linked...