Harry Hole flies to Sydney to help investigate the brutal murder of a Norwegian citizen. The Australian police do not take him seriously, and yet the case is much more complicated than it might seem at first glance. Ancient legends of the aborigines come to life, the spirit of death spread the black wings of a bat over the earth, and Harry, like the hero who defeated the terrible snake Bubbur, will have to enter into battle with an insidious enemy in order to defeat evil and avenge the death of his beloved. This case will be the beginning of his life for Harry a somewhat eccentric police career, and for its creator, Jo Nesbø, the first step towards dizzying world fame. First publication in Russian under the title “Bat.”