Multi-award-winning Scandi crime from the third bestselling author in Denmark. When an unidentified man is found murdered in a local cemetery, rough-hewn Superintendent Axel Steen is called to the scene. A nearby youth house soon falls under suspicion along with the police force itself.

International bestselling author Jesper Stein's award-winning debut thriller introduces Danish DCI Axel Steen.

'Stein's mysterious and melancholy detective has the potential to become the next Alex Cross.' Real Crime Magazine

'It's harsh, dark, yet with a warm, beating heart at its core.' Lars Kepler, author of The Hypnotist

A man's hooded and tortured body is found in a cemetery in Copenhagen during a riot.

With so many police on site, how could anyone be murdered and left out in the open?
Unless the killer is one of them?

DCI Steen is assigned the case, which rapidly becomes more complex and more personal as the body count goes up. He will not stop until the killer is caught, whatever the consequences. But the consequences turn out to be greater than expected - especially for Axel himself.

This immensely popular and exciting set of bestselling books kicks off with a dramatic and fast-paced debut.