Once again, Dasha Vasilyeva is right in the middle of terrible events: the graphomaniac Vladimir Merzkii thinks she should “push” his novel. And when Dasha tries to wiggle out of it, he starts threatening to kidnap a child—true, someone else’s: Arkady and Manya won’t let themselves be taken advantage of, everyone knows that! Alas, neither logic nor the arguments of reason work when you’re dealing with a madman. And not with just one. Gradually it becomes clear: Dasha has found herself in a very strange circle. Every relationship between the new acquaintances of Vasilyeva is steeped in hatred. And, as everyone knows, one step lies between hatred and murder. The situation is so complicated that even Colonel Degtyarev—who is forever dissatisfied with the amateur work of a private detective—this time is ready to listen to her!