1999: Harry Hole mistakenly shoots an American secret agent during President Clinton's visit to Norway. While waiting for his humiliating dismissal from the police force, Hole is transferred to the anti-terrorist unit and gets promoted to inspector. He is assigned to a mundane office and sifts through reports on seemingly insignificant cases. However, the case that falls into his hands is of particular interest: a rare and unusual type of weapon, suitable for executions, is being smuggled into Norway. Following its trail, Hole will confront the world of arms smuggling, Norwegian neo-Nazis, and the darkest aspect of Norwegian history - the collaboration of Norwegians with Hitler on the Eastern Front during World War II. Meanwhile, a determined killer spreads death, seeking justice...

"One of the most captivating inspectors in contemporary crime fiction." ("Library Journal")

"This book uses the passions of the present to support an extremely disturbing argument: when we silence history, it is as if we are provoking it to repeat itself... A well-written and multi-layered thriller."
("New York Times Book Review")