Special assignment for Aurelio Zen: In his birthplace of Venice, he is to investigate the disappearance of a wealthy American residing there. The commissioner immerses himself in the mysterious city of his past and once again succumbs to its morbid charm. When the skeleton of a body is found near the lagoon island that belonged to the American, Aurelio Zen believes he sees connections. However, in the hazy light of Venice, things only reveal their true nature upon closer inspection.