INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. The apparent innocence often hides icy cruelty...Detective Sergeant of the London Police Theo Bontempi was found unconscious in her own apartment. She was taken to the hospital with a head injury, where she soon died. It turns out that Theo served on a special team investigating the barbaric tradition of surgical operations on little girls, still practiced in the Nigerian community of London. It is possible that her death is closely related to this case. But detective Thomas Linley and his assistants, sergeants Barbara Havers and Winston Nkata, were not prepared for the truth that emerged during the investigation. They had never descended into such depths of inhumanity and cynicism... A series of best-selling books about detectives Thomas Linley and Barbara Havers. Elizabeth George is an outstanding master of the detective novel. Literary critics give her the status of “great.” Elizabeth's work has won recognition from readers all over the world, including in Russia. Her books are published in millions of copies, become the basis for television films, and receive prestigious literary awards. “Elizabeth George reveals another clever and twisted mystery.” - New York Times "A brilliant writer, George crafts stunning plots and delivers an emotional level greater than anyone else's." – The Times “George’s gift for storytelling is hard to resist once she’s hooked.” – USA Today “Elizabeth George is a true master detective. Like a fine wine, her prose needs to be savored in small sips..." - Sunday Express "George creates a whimsical mosaic that is never boring." - Guardian "The author is a great writer - and has a real knack for setting a scene and creating characters you want to know more about." – Sun “George pushes all our buttons while we devour her books one after another.” – Daily Telegraph