When a former Russian advisor stands accused of murdering a female citizen in Cuba, Inspector Porfiry Rostnikov is dispatched to the former Soviet Unions one-time ally on a criminal investigation-cum-diplomatic mission. With a watchful KGB agent on his tail Rostnikov must grapple with his cunning Cuban counterpart as well as a perplexing murder scenario, to save face for his mother country.

Back in Russia a spate of grisly sexual-mutilation murders announces the return of a notorious serial killer to the streets of Moscow_ Relentless, obsessive Inspector Emil Karpo -- "the Vampire" -- leads the manhunt for the person whose mundane appearance hides the tormented, predatory soul of madman.

With little more than their principles and theft shaken patriotism to guide them, Rostnikov and his driven detectives struggle to uphold the law -- even as the entire globe rumbles with change....

From the Paperback edition.