Two young women are missing, connected only by their attendance at the same party, hosted by a notorious businessman. When one of the women is found murdered, the police discover an unusual signature left by the killer, giving them reason to suspect he will strike again. Catching him calls for a detective like no other. But the legendary Harry Hole is gone. Struck off the force, down and out in Los Angeles, it seems that nothing can entice him back to Oslo. Until the woman who saved Harry's life is put in grave danger, and he is forced to join the hunt for the murderer. He'll need to bring together a misfit team of former operatives to stop an unstoppable killer. But as the evidence mounts, it becomes clear that there is more to this case than meets the eye.