It's the crime of the century-- but not this century. And there are two hundred and twenty-seven million witnesses-- but none of them can help the investigation officers.
For this is the murder on the moon in the year 2010. And when Emile Lemarque keels over on the steps of the space ship Europa, he stirs up more than lunar dusts at his death threatens to turn into an international incident, requiring the personal intervention of Commissioner Peter Pascoe of the Eurofed Justice Department.
Pascoe, at the peak of his career and facing one of his most baffling and delicate cases, turns for assistance to his old mentor, Andy Dalziel, now deep in gouty retirement. Reunited, though with roles reversed, the old Mid-Yorkshire duo probe deep into space, both inner and outer, as they take one small step after another to a series of surprising truth.

'Hill is an instinctive and complete novelist who is blessed with a spontaneous storytelling gift' Frances Fyfield, Mail on Sunday They moved everyone that long hot summer fifteen years ago. They needed a new reservoir and an old community seemed a cheap price to pay. They even dug up the dead and moved them too. But four inhabitants of the valley they couldn't move, for nobody knew where they were. Three little girls had gone missing, and the prime suspect in their disappearance, Benny Lightfoot This was Andy Dalziel's worst case and now fifteen years on he looks set to relive it. It's another long hot summer. A child goes missing in the next valley, and old fears arise as someone sprays the deadly message on the wall of Danby: BENNY'S BACK! Music and myth mingle as the Mid-Yorkshire team delve into their pasts and into their own reserves of experience and endurance in search of answers which threaten to bring more pain than they resolve.

A murder has been committed - but as the victim was a rapist, recently released from prison, no one is too concerned about the crime. That is, until Detective Inspector John Rebus and DS Siobhan Clarke uncover evidence that a serial killer is on the loose ...When Rebus also starts looking into the apparent suicide of an MP, he is abruptly warned off the case, not least because the G8 leaders have gathered in Scotland, and Rebus's bosses want him well out of the way. But Rebus has never been one to stick to the rules, and when Siobhan has a very personal reason for hunting down a riot cop, it looks as though both Rebus and Clarke may be up against their own side ...

First Sentence: The girl screamed once, only the once, but it was enough.
DI John Rebus is one week from retirement. What begins as the murder of a Russian poet becomes much more complex. Does it involve the Russians meeting with Edinburgh real estate agents and bankers? How does it link with a second murder? What is the connection to Rebus' nemeses Ger Cafferty?
When Rebus gets suspended, it's up to DS Siobhan Clark to work on the inside while Rebus keeps investigating from the outside.
I put off reading this book because I was concerned as to how Rankin would close out Rebus' career. I need not have worried.
This is quintessential Rebus who has given up almost everything in his life for his job. The case seemed to start off as a simple killing, but layers build upon layers and twists upon turns.
Rankin has done such a fine job creating Rebus, he is very real. I don't always like him, but you know that is intentional.
Rankin hasn't glamorized Edinburgh, as many authors do, but presents it as a city of people and problems as is any city, and he makes that city alive to us.
For me, the ending was perfect and just the right touch. I'm anxious to see what Rankin does next, but I do sincerely hope Rebus reappears from time-to-time. Bravo, Mr. Rankin.