Hunting down a killer and master illusionist whose first murder took place at a prestigious New York music school, investigator Lincoln Rhyme and his protegee, Amelia Sachs, work together to prevent an act of vengeance.

"Amelia Sachs is hot on the trail of a killer. She's chasing him through a department store in Brooklyn when an escalator malfunctions. The stairs give way, with one man horribly mangled by the gears. Sachs is forced to let her quarry escape as she jumps in to try to help save the victim. She and famed forensic detective Lincoln Rhyme soon learn, however, that the incident may not be an accident at all, but the first in a series of intentional attacks....

"In the early hours of a quiet, weekend morning in Manhattan's Diamond District, at the scene of a brutal triple murder, the killer left behind a half-million dollars' worth of gems at the scene. As more crimes follow, it becomes clear that the killer's target is not gems, but engaged couples themselves. Then a witness is left alive. Vimal Lahori, a young diamond cutter, can help Rhyme and Sachs blow the lid off the case-- but has gone into hiding....