Summer in Venice. A Masquerade ball. And a disappearing corpse.

Torben Helle has arrived in the Floating City. Desperate to escape from two looming book deadlines, he is rescued by an invite from his old friend Frances to join her at the Venice Biennale. She promises plenty of Venetian sun, stunning architecture and countless lavish parties, starting with a masquerade ball on a private island.

But the party is cut short when Torben stumbles upon the body of controversial artist Vlaho Zuoz - only for it to then mysteriously disappear from behind a locked door. Fortunately Torben has his partner - in love and sleuthing - Leyla Moradi, to help him find both a corpse and a killer. Except that this killer has the upper hand, and Torben may have finally met his match...