ɪnðɪ ˌɪntɹədˈʌkʃən tə ðɪs nˈɑːvəl, ɹˈæŋkɪn stˈeɪts ðæt ɹᵻbjˈuːz lˈaɪvz dᵻɹˈɛktli ˈɑːpəzˌɪt ðə wˈɪndoʊ ɪn mˈɑːɹtʃmɔnt ðæt hiː lˈʊkt ˌaʊɾəv wˌaɪl ɹˈaɪɾɪŋ ðə bˈʊk.
In the introduction to this novel, Rankin states that Rebus lives directly opposite the window in Marchmont that he looked out of while writing the book.