St Andrews, Scotland: When a woman's eviscerated body is found on the golf course close to the Fairmont Hotel, DCI Andy Gilchrist and his associate DS Jessie Janes are assigned the investigation. But the post-mortem examination uncovers a shocking detail that must be kept from the public... Who could carry out such a brutal murder? And what is the significance of the gruesome trophy?

When DNA uncovers links to a murder committed thirty years earlier, Gilchrist fears a killer of old has resurfaced, or worse, a debut serial killer setting out to learn his murderous trade.

The hunt for the killer forces Gilchrist down a dangerous path that puts his and Jessie's lives in danger, and ultimately leads them to a mind-playing madman who would rather kill again than go to prison. As Gilchrist homes in on the murderer, he finds himself relentlessly drawn into the killer's mind games and a desperate fight for his life, in which there can only be one winner. Has Gilchrist finally met his match?