ɡɹˈiːvz mˈɜːdɚɹ ɪz ɐn ɪmpˈoːɹtənt kˈeɪs, ænd ɪɾ ɪz ɐsˈaɪnd tə dˈaɪ dˈɛɹɪk lˈɪnfɚd, ɐn ˈɜːnɪst jˈʌŋɡɚ mˈæn wɪð æmbˈɪʃən ænd pɹˈɑːspɛkts; haʊˈɛvɚ, ɹᵻbjˈuːz pɹɪfˈɜːz hɪz ˈoʊn mˈɛθədz.
Grieve's murder is an important case, and it is assigned to DI Derek Linford, an earnest younger man with ambition and prospects; however, Rebus prefers his own methods.