In fact, Assistant Chief Constable Desmond Iles is extremely present in this the 25th of the "Bill James" series following his shady and sometimes violent police career. But he is absent from a crucial conference and therefore unable to give vital advice to a colleague from a different force, A.C.C. Esther Davidson. She is having big trouble from a local gang, the Guild, and proposes to put an 'out-located' officer - that is, an undercover spy - into the criminal outfit. Iles might have been able to dissuade her if he'd been around. One of his own undercover officers was murdered not long ago and he has promised himself never to place anyone in such danger again. Esther goes ahead, with terrible consequences. Iles does, belatedly, try to help her, and there is even possibility of some sex between the two, but Iles' real speciality is in nailing villains and not charming the fairer opposition, and so ultimately he ends up sticking with his real talents.