In the frozen isolation of 1919 Siberia, a small religious community faces the encroaching violence of the Russian Civil War and the arrival of a mysterious stranger. Anna Petrovna, a widow living within this secluded sect, finds her life disrupted when Samarin appears, claiming to have escaped a brutal prison camp while being hunted by a cannibal. As the community struggles under the oppressive rule of a volatile military commander, the sudden death of their local shaman triggers a wave of paranoia and suspicion. The narrative unfolds through a shifting perspective that captures the tension between the community's esoteric beliefs and the harsh, encroaching reality of political upheaval.

This novel is frequently noted for its ability to blend the conventions of historical fiction with a darker, more visceral exploration of human nature. Critics often highlight the author's skill in maintaining a high-stakes atmosphere while managing complex, multi-layered character arcs. The setting of the Russian Civil War serves as a stark backdrop that emphasizes the isolation and desperation of the community members. Readers generally respond to the book's intense pacing and the unsettling, almost gothic quality of the central mystery. The work is widely regarded as a significant entry in contemporary historical fiction for its refusal to rely on traditional tropes.