When a violent storm descends upon the Orkney Islands, the body of Archie Stout is left behind in its wake. An unusual murder weapon, a Neolithic stone bearing ancient inscriptions, is found discarded nearby. Archie was a popular, larger-than-life character, making his death a shocking blow to the community. Detective Jimmy Perez, no stranger to the complexity of human nature and the darkness it can harbour, is soon on the scene. He counted Archie as a childhood friend, making this case more personal than most. Now living in Orkney with his partner Willow and their son, Perez is soon drawn into the lives of the islanders, many of whom carry secrets. Dark secrets that could have led to the man's murder. Here, in these ancient lands where history runs deep, Perez must discern the truth from legend before a desperate and dangerous killer strikes again.