Banks' new Detective Superintendent, Catherine Gervaise, is a by-the-book supervisor and throws roadblocks at Banks' methods of investigation. He is teamed again with Detective Inspector Annie Cabot and Winsome Jackman in their efforts to find the murderer.

Their investigations into the Mad Hatters reach back to the Brimleogh Festival, a local rock festival in 1969 where a young woman was fatally stabbed. The case was never solved. They find these two cases intertwine, and they must find the relationship between the two.

At the same time Banks is having problems coming to terms with the death of his brother, Roy, and with the problems of his son, Brian.

The two cases are told in a parallel narrative: in 1969 Detective Inspector Stanley, a straitlaced policeman investigates the rock scene, hampered by problems with his daughter, Yvonne, who knew the murdered girl, Linda Loflhouse, and was part of the followers of the Mad Hatters. Barber had found he had a connection to Linda and was determined to find her killer. Now Banks has to do the same.

There is an interesting comparison between police procedures in the 1960's (Chadwick) and the present (Banks). Robinson has captured the hippie rock scene successfully with the hippie rock music of the 60's. There are many references to the numerous rock bands, many of which Banks has been a fan of. The problems of Banks with his superior officer and his adjustment to his brother's death are discussed in detail. The landscape of Yorkshire is as usual with Robinson's work vividly evoked. The writing style is realistic and smooth. The plot is complex with many twists and turns to keep the reader's interest.