London police had no idea they were dealing with a serial killer until they discovered the fourth victim—a white teenager whose body was found on an old gravestone in St. George’s Gardens park. Since the three previous victims had been Black, the case unexpectedly takes on a social dimension. Scotland Yard launches an urgent investigation, bringing in detective Thomas Lynley, whose thoughts are occupied by his pregnant wife, and his steadfast assistant Barbara Havers, who again isn’t doing well in her career advancement. None of them can imagine what kind of cunning and persistent criminal they’re facing this time.