San Sebastian, Spain. Dublin pathologist Quirke is struggling to relax, despite the beaches, cafes and the company of his lovely wife. When he glimpses a familiar face in the twilight at Las Acadas bar, he knows it can't be April Latimer-- she was murdered by her brother, years ago. When Quirke makes a call back home to Ireland, Detective St. John Strafford is dispatched to Spain. But he is not the only one en route: A relentless hit man is on the hunt for his latest prey, and the next victim might be Quirke himself. .

Sequel to: Even the dead. Sequel to: Snow. Previous titles in the Quirke series published under Benjamin Black, a pen name of John Banville.