John Rebus is a hard-drinking, unkempt, womanizing police officer whose job is his whole life. He is the most senior and experienced detective at his station. He has a mysterious past that he shares with his partner, DS Siobhan Clarke. She is a young woman who wants to succeed in her career but does not have much of a personal life. She feels that being paired with Rebus jeopardizes her career because of his unorthodox methods, but she is also fascinated by him and is extremely loyal to him. The head of the department is Chief Superintendent Templar, a woman who was one of Rebus's lovers in a distant past. Their relationship is now one where they barely tolerate each other.