A bitterly cold March morning in Helsinki, and a young woman is found dead in Sibelius Park. A serial killer has made his first move.

Miranda, a Detective Inspector in the Helsinki Homicide Unit struggles with a conundrum: Why are musicians being especially targeted? What is the significance of the gruesome trophy the murderer removes from every crime scene? And why does the killer appear to associate each of his attacks with one of the symphonies of the great Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius.

Set against a backdrop of the Finnish music world, the story unfolds as a disturbing exploration of sexual obsession and the more sinister aspects of human sexuality.

Almost as a parallel plot (in a series of lectures held at the Sibelius Academy) the reader is presented with a fascinating biographical sketch of Finland's greatest artist and an analysis of his orchestral masterpieces. These two plot threads will, in subtle ways, become entangled.

For lovers of the detective story: intriguing twists and turns that culminate in a compelling, suspenseful denouement. For detective story aficionados who also love the music of Sibelius: this is compulsory reading!