The 4th Department Q novel, following A CONSPIRACY OF FAITH. In 1987, Nete Hermansen plans revenge on those who abused her in her youth, including Curt Wad, a charismatic surgeon who was part of a movement to sterilize wayward girls in 1950s Denmark. More than 20 years later, Detective Carl Morck already has plenty on his mind when he is presented with the case of a brothel owner, a woman named Rita, who went missing in the 80s. New evidence has emerged in the case that destroyed the lives of his two partners - the case that sent Carl to Department Q.