After Rebus retired as a Scotland detective, he did civilian work for a Cold Case Unit. When that was completed, he reapplied to CID. He's now back on the force, but in a lower position. Rebus is a rare breed of cop in today's world; a loose cannon who's like a bloodhound. Once he gets a scent, he works it till the end, even though he has terrible people skills and only a basic knowledge of computers.

While investigating an accident, Rebus hears about the reopening of a case his previous department at Summerhall handled over 30 years ago involving the Saints of the Shadow Bible. Something like this inquiry could jeopardize his return to the force, so Rebus decides that if he must, he'll assist Malcolm Fox, the internal affairs officer looking into the case. But there are plenty of retired cops from Summerhall who want to keep the past buried and aren't happy with Rebus' involvement. Will he be able to do what's right without endangering his reputation -- or his life?

Ian Rankin's SAINTS OF THE SHADOW BIBLE is an intensely suspenseful police procedural thriller with a fine assembly of complex characters. He keeps readers' interests with a deft handling of plot progression to an effective ending.