The new case of the bedridden brilliant criminologist Lincoln Rhyme and his student, the talented detective Amelia Sachs, is perhaps the most unusual in their entire joint practice. Sixteen-year-old Geneva Settle is pursued by killers. Again and again, the police manage to capture the next pursuer - but the hunt is for the girl continues. Who and why is trying to get rid of an ordinary high school student? Perhaps she knows something important? But what? So far, one thing is clear to Lincoln and Amelia: if they do not establish the motive, they will not find the mysterious customer of the murder... The only clue Rhyme and Sachs have is “The Hanged Man”, the twelfth Tarot card, left by the criminal at the site of the failed assassination attempt...