Investigating Magistrate Nikson Blaed must solve the murders of five women in an exclusive dress shop. Nothing is straightforward, and he soon finds similarly puzzling crimes that seem oddly related. To add to his troubles, a political storm is brewing, his superior is inexplicably angry, he finds himself in a custody battle for his five-year-old son, and the grandfather who raised him is hospitalized with serious health issues. Small wonder he's nervous about dating the remarkably attractive woman suddenly pursuing him. Before he's finished, Nik will question everything he believes and will find himself breaking the law he's pledged to uphold. How many more lives will be lost before he catches the strangest murderer he's ever known?