Robbie Beanathe is a detective in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where a serial killer (known only as Niphred) has been running rampant for several months now, killing each of his victims with the one thing they fear most. After Niphred kills again, the chief of police calls in the FBI, who send in Special Agent Cassidy Aceldama. Written from the viewpoints of Robbie, Cassi, and Niphred.