He takes his victims' lives and leaves behind mysterious pieces of a bizarre puzzle. And the only person who may be able to make sense of the serial killer's deranged plan is Lincoln Rhyme, a one-time top homicide investigator. But after a tragic accident changes his life forever, Rhyme can only watch as other cops bungle the case... until he teams up with a young rookie, Amelia Donaghy, who bravely searches out the clues that help them solve the case. But as the killer senses the cops closing in, Rhyme realizes that he and his partner are on the trial of a vicious, sadistic murderer who will stop at nothing on his deadly mission. And at any moment, Rhyme and Amelia could become his next targets - and their first case could become their last.