A mid-air explosion of a hijacked plane forces two disparate investigators to navigate a web of state secrets and international intrigue. Gavra Noukas, a homicide detective leading a clandestine double-life, and Brano Sev, a veteran secret policeman, are tasked with uncovering the truth behind the disaster. As they operate within the rigid, oppressive structures of the Cold War era, they must contend with superiors who actively obscure the facts. The narrative employs a multi-perspective approach to track the investigators' efforts to survive both the political fallout and the dangerous reality of their own assignments.

This work is frequently noted for its meticulous attention to the historical and political climate of the Cold War. Critics often highlight the author's ability to balance complex procedural details with a sense of pervasive paranoia. The narrative is recognized for its somber tone and the nuanced development of its two central investigators. Readers typically appreciate the grounded approach to espionage, which avoids sensationalism in favor of a gritty, realistic portrayal of state-level deception. The book stands as a significant entry in the author's broader exploration of twentieth-century European history.