Northern Ireland's Troubles may be over, but peace has not erased the crimes of the past. Gerry Fegan, a former paramilitary killer, is haunted by the ghosts of the twelve people he slaughtered. Every night, at the point of losing his mind, he drowns their screams in drink. But it's not enough. In order to appease the ghosts, Fegan is going to have to kill the men who gave him orders. From the greedy politicians to the corrupt security forces, the street thugs to the complacent bystanders who let it happen, all are called to account.

This masterpiece of both Irish literature and of crime fiction, now a modern classic, is presented here with an introduction by Val McDermid, a discussion guide for book clubs, and a behind-the-book peek at Stuart Neville's creative process.