When a murder victim is discovered in a scene identical to a series of crimes committed by an incarcerated man, criminal psychologist Dr. Tony Hill and DCI Carol Jordan must confront the impossibility of a copycat killer. Hill struggles to reconcile the forensic evidence with the fact that the original perpetrator is locked away, forcing him to re-examine the psychological profile of the case. Meanwhile, Jordan initiates a high-stakes undercover operation to lure the killer into the open, a move that threatens the safety of her team. The narrative shifts between Hill’s clinical analysis of the incarcerated suspect and the gritty, tactical reality of the police investigation, building toward a confrontation with a predator who defies conventional logic.

This novel is widely recognized as a high-water mark in the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series, praised for its ability to maintain relentless suspense while exploring the darker corners of criminal psychology. Readers and critics frequently highlight the author's skill in constructing a puzzle that feels genuinely impossible, forcing the protagonists to operate outside their usual comfort zones. The interplay between Hill’s intellectual rigor and Jordan’s pragmatic police work provides a balanced foundation that anchors the more disturbing elements of the plot. The conclusion is often cited for its intensity, leaving a lasting impression regarding the perverse nature of the antagonist.