Jack Reacher, a former military policeman, after his dismissal, travels all over America, enjoying his freedom. But his savings are running low, and he stops in a resort town to replenish them - he digs swimming pools during the day and works as a bouncer in a bar in the evening. One day, this measured life is disrupted by a private detective - as it turns out, Jack is wanted by a certain lady from New York. Her name means nothing to Reacher, and he would not have attached any significance to this meeting if he had not soon discovered in a dark corner the body of this same detective with cut off fingertips. Who hired this person and who ordered him? Who is being hunted? Reacher feels that he is being dragged into this case against his will, and goes to New York to find the person who needs him. But his journey turns out to be much longer - it will be a journey into the bloody past...