Two female cops rush towards a prestigious music academy to capture a killer. Killer locks himself in a room but the place
is surrounded by the
police. Suddenly, somebody screams, a flash of light, then when the two police finally manages to break down the door only to find the room is empty. There are no any trap doors and windows in the room whatsoever.
The girl victim was killed in a peculiar way; she was on her belly, hands bound behind the back with handcuffs. The ankles are tied together and another length of rope is wound around the neck, like a noose, and tied to the ankles. She was killed by suffocation by her legs tendency to straighten up which pulls the noose taut.
Baffled police detective Lon Sellito asked Lincoln Rhyme an ex-
forensic criminalist and his protégée and lover police detective Amelia Sachs for their help. Being inexperience with the tricks and trades of magic they seek help from an apprentice named Kara.
Together with the usual cast of Thom who writes down all the evidence with Mel Cooper forensic scientist they tries to uncover the truth before the time runs out and before the Conjuror strikes again.
In between the pursuit of the Conjurer, old friend and FBI agent Roland Bell also asks for their help in solving the case of Andrew Constable a leader of a radical militia who is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and hate crimes.
Little did they know that Lincoln’s life is in danger. With the Conjurer’s talent for quick change that could have him change into a very different persona, could Lincoln Rhyme a quadriplegic with a great mind and Amelia Sachs who acts as his hand and feet during the crime scene come up with the answers before its too late?