It is the year 2020, and Edinburgh is now independent, closely regulated by the Council of City guardians. When a gruesome series of murders is committed - the first in the city for five years - Quint Dalrymple, an engagingly iconoclastic hero, is called to track down the murderer. And in doing so, he uncovers a tale of government corruption, sexslave rings and a serial killer who specialises in a unique form of organ removal.