In the story “Atonement,” the author shows how a man striving for sensual pleasures comes under suspicion of murder and is forced to hide from the police. Being in an illegal situation, he is constantly exposed to danger. This forces him to reconsider his views on the meaning and main goals of his life. V. A. Ilyichev’s story is based on the author’s experience in the criminal investigation department. The reader knows the author from the books “The Elegant Assassin”, “The Guillotine for the Executioner”, “The Secret of the Seven Sins”, “Towards Eternity”, “Life and Crime”, “The Adventures of the Winking Ghost” and a number of others.