Grace Ozmian, the missing daughter of a tech billionaire, has been found. At least a large part of her. Her head is still missing. Lieutenant CDS Vincent D'Agosta knows that his investigation will attract intense media attention, so he is pleased when his old acquaintance, FBI Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast, is assigned to the case. However, neither man is prepared for what lies ahead. A diabolical presence is stalking New York City, and Grace is just the first of many victims who are murdered and decapitated. As mass hysteria grips the city, it will take all of Pendergast's skill and strength to unmask this most dangerous enemy, not to mention survive to tell the tale.