DCI Banks is on an extended holiday touring America when an old neighbour calls at the station looking for his help. It falls to DI Annie Cabbot to talk to her. At first Mrs Doyle is reluctant but is eventually persuaded to tell the DI about her daughter, Erin, a lifelong friend of DCI Banks's daughter, who has recently returned home to live. Mrs Doyle is unhappy to find a gun in Erin's possession and has called on DCI Banks for advice on what to do.

Annie Cabbot has no choice but to refer the matter to her Detective Superintendent who decides to send the armed response team to recover the firearm. Matters escalate quickly and a tragedy occurs.

As investigations into the manner in which the firearm was discovered and to whom it belongs, moves along, it quickly becomes apparent that DCI Banks's daughter Tracy is deeply involved in the situation. DCI Banks returns from holiday to find his house a crime scene, Annie Cabbot in intensive care and his daughter on the run.

This is the nineteenth book in this series. I like the characters of Detective Chief Inspector Banks and Detective Inspector Annie Cabbot and have enjoyed the development of them though the series. However, if you haven't read any of the series before, don't worry, as each book stands alone as an excellent read.