Harry Hole is chasing a serial killer who has been operating for years. His signature is to leave a snowman nearby. Harry has his own demons from drinking to his obsession with his cases; he drove the one woman he truly loved away (Rakel) and her son (Oleg).

Now he's pursuing the Snowman and after a long chase, detectives he can't trust, a murderer who seems to be inside his head, and the feeling of being followed, this case just might break Hole.

The Snowman chooses married women who have children. He seems to strike on the first snow of the season, but he is escalating.

Several false endings. Interesting chase. We always have to have the driven detective who is not liked by the upper eschelon.