Book 3 of the trilogy of sociopoilitical, historical thrillers starts with Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990. Ivan Pettersen and Thembani Dlamini, two brilliant university students, are haunted by the actions of their past activist lives. While trying to settle down, Thembani marries Nkosinati Khumalo, and Ivan falls in love with Lydiah Adams. Both women are widows, their husbands killed by police and their proxies. Dr Stanley Gershon, and his friend Fay Ismail, again become involved in the escalating conflicts of all the major characters. In the rebellious turmoil in the segregated townships, necklacing of opposition members with burning tyres around their necks becomes popular. Ivan and Thembani cross paths with security police officer, Leeu (Lion) Kloppers, an ex-member of a South West African death squad, now a member of the secretive police Balaclava Gang attempting to derail the process towards majority rule in South Africa. In 1994, the main characters' hopes and expectations for the future all peak in the shadow of Table Mountain on the day of the first democratic elections in South Africa.