Investigator William Wisting makes a frightening discovery: A corpse has been found among the spruce trees in a Norwegian Christmas tree field, and turns out to have links to a sought after American serial killer.

With the help of FBI agents Maggie and John, Wisting tracks serial killer Robert Godwin to a remote farm, but do they keep the mission secret from the press before Godwin runs?

Wisting and the FBI suspect that Godwin may be behind twelve cases of missing persons in Norway. Vidar Haglund is released from prison, and Line questions the circumstances surrounding Viggo's death.

Line's obsession with Viggo's death leads to a quarrel with her father. Wisting and the FBI find more of Godwin's victims, and the FBI agent John makes a mistake that has serious consequences.

Lines and Wistings investigations are linked, and the search for the serial killer becomes increasingly intense. At the same time, Wisting's worst nightmare becomes reality.