I honestly thought Sakey would never be able to top his excellent debut 'The Blade Itself' but he's managed to do so straight away. This 2nd novel (a stand alone story from the 1st) is so rich in atmosphere & character & so gripping that it makes you realise how pedestrian a lot of established crime fiction authors actually are. Compared to anyone else in the field (baring the great Dennis Lehane), Sakey is streets ahead. Read it! READ IT NOW!