Lady Antonia de Velviche—the Reader. That is what they call those who possess a rare gift to read other people’s souls. She moves from the capital to a quiet, remote town, where she takes a job with the local police department, because her gift is simply indispensable during interrogations. She also hires a butler as her assistant—a criminal with dozens of serious crimes on his conscience. Meanwhile, in the town, girls begin to disappear, later found murdered. Rare witnesses claim they saw a person who looked very much like an ordinary scarecrow—almost lifeless and doll-like. The department begins an investigation, and Antonia will have to conduct a considerable number of interrogations. But the Readers, with frequent use of their gift, lose their sanity and drive mad those whose souls they read. After the very first interrogation, the first suspect needs emergency medical help—and Lady de Velviche’s health is also in danger. And just in time, the butler comes in handy. Not only can this man help the lady out of her severe condition, but he may also find the killer…