Ilyichev V. A., a former criminal investigation officer, candidate of legal sciences, professor, writes about the problems of law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime. Readers know the author’s work from previously published works: “The Elegant Killer”, “The Guillotine for the Executioner”, “The Secret of the Seven Sins”, “Towards Eternity”, “The Adventures of the “Winking Ghost””, “Life and Crime”, “Atonement” and many others to others. This book publishes three new stories by the author. “Love Undercover” is dedicated to the dangerous work of a secret agent embedded in an organized criminal group seeking to seize power in a provincial city. In the process of completing the task, a close love relationship develops between him and the sister of the gang leader. This does not prevent the undercover worker from successfully completing the task. The story “Epitaph for the Living” shows the shadow side of the activities of operatives, who are often forced to violate moral standards in order to expose criminals. This practice not only leads to violations of the law, but also poses a danger for the detectives themselves. In the story “In a Vicious Circle,” a journalist writing on criminal topics receives materials that compromise important officials. The hunt for him begins. Despite the danger, the journalist does not give up and strives to publish an exposing article.