NYPD detective Jacob Kanon and Swedish reporter Dessie Larsson traverse Europe in hot pursuit of a serial killer, one who sends a postcard before each murder and was responsible for the slayings of Jacob's daughter and her boyfriend.
During a state funeral for a former first lady at a New York City cathedral, armed men disguised as monks seize the church and dozens of hostages, and NYPD officer Michael Bennett takes on the dangerous role of lead negotiator in the standoff.