Life in the small resort town of Balford-le-Nez in Essex literally exploded. A respected representative of the Pakistani community of the city, Haitham Qurashi, was found murdered in an old wartime pillbox. His fellow tribesmen are on the verge of open street unrest. They blame the British for everything, because they are sure that this murder was committed on racial grounds. The case is being led by Bulford Detective Chief Inspector Emily Barlow, assisted by Scotland Yard Sergeant and Emily's long-time friend Barbara Havers. They must find the killer before ethnic conflict breaks out. But they still don’t know that soon this crime will fade into the background - because much darker and more terrible things are hiding behind it... Elizabeth George is an outstanding master of the detective novel. Her work has won recognition from readers all over the world, including in Russia. Her books are published in millions of copies, become the basis for television films, and receive prestigious literary awards.