The Catchers of Black Souls. The Case of Petushchnik

The provincial Russian city of K. is filled with terrible rumors: a maniac is on the loose, having already killed three. All the victims are adult men who, at first glance, have nothing in common. They come from different professions,... varying income levels, and social standings, killed in different ways. Nothing in common, except for one curious detail: each had a finger removed. In addition, a toy hand from a puppet theater doll of Petushka was found in the mouths of the deceased. What is this? Revenge? A ritual? Or are the murders merely a game with the police? To unravel this nightmarish puzzle, special department officers from the capital's investigative unit arrive from Petersburg, led by Roman Muromtsev.