The setting: Oslo. A stiflingly hot summer.

The puzzle: Five points of the star, five fingers of the hand, and every five days a new victim. The first murdered woman had one less finger and under her eyelid a red star-shaped diamond. A ring with the same star-shaped red diamond adorns the severed finger of the second woman. And the murders continue...

The inspector: Clouded by drink, under disfavor in his service, Harry Hole will be called to solve the puzzle along with his colleague and personal enemy Tom Waaler, whom he suspects is involved in dirty stories.

In the search for the truth, Hole will find himself hunted and will be forced to make difficult decisions about his professional future.

"With bated breath, we watch Harry Hole as he tries to find a way out through unexpected obstacles and twists, in a plot that moves like a bullet."
("New York Times" - USA)

"Do not start this book if you have serious work or commitments. You will not be able to put it down until its last page."
("NRK" - Norway)