On the idyllic coast of San Sebastian, Spain, Dublin pathologist Quirke glimpses a familiar face, but this young woman can't be April Latimer. She was murdered by her brother. Unable to ignore his instincts, Quirke makes a call back home to Ireland and soon Detective St. John Strafford is dispatched to Spain. But he's not the only one en route. A relentless hit man is on the hunt for his latest prey, and the next victim might be Quirke himself.