Joel Sorrell is drinking hard while his personal life collapses around him. An SOS from a childhood sweetheart springs him into action, but nothing about her or her problem seems to make any sense. Everything points towards an old enemy of Joel's, who has risen to prominence while incarcerated. On the run and in fear for his life, Joel finds himself tangled in a web affecting both the present and the past, and most certainly the people closest to him.

Conrad Williams has written seven novels, four novellas and a short story collection. One won the August Derleth award for Best Novel in 2010, while The Unblemished won the International Horror Guild Award for Best Novel in 2007 (he beat the shortlisted Stephen King on both occasions). He won the British Fantasy Award for Best Newcomer in 1993, and another British Fantasy Award for Best Novella (The Scalding Rooms) in 2008.