"Just before the day begins, the night is at its darkest" is a gripping psychological thriller by Wolf-Ingo Härtl that takes readers into the dark world of Marie Giddas. Marie, a contract killer, has retreated into an emotional fortress over the past six years, where cynicism and coldness reign. However, when she finds Vincent, her next target, in her bed, the unthinkable happens: someone manages to break through her walls. Through flashbacks to Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and Lake Kuril, the complex story of a woman shaped by the scars of her childhood and a painful loss unfolds. As dawn breaks, Marie faces a fateful decision while grappling with her past. This novel is not only a thriller but also a profound exploration of the human psyche and the search for hope in the darkness.