Harry Hole is in trouble. The police don't want him back... After the horrors of a case that nearly cost him his life, Harry Hole left Oslo and the police force far behind him.

Now he's back, but the case he's come to investigate is already closed, and the suspect already behind bars. The criminals don't want him back... Denied permission to reopen the investigation, Harry strikes out on his own, quickly discovering a trail of violence and mysterious disappearances apparently unnoticed by the police.

At every turn, Harry is faced with a wall of silence. But Harry is not the only one interested in the case. From the moment he steps off the plane, someone is watching his every move.