The story of a crime whose weapon is a novel. Edward and Nicolas have been friends for thirty years. One is English, a renowned publisher. The other is French, author of successful novels. But one day Nicolas brings a manuscript to Edward and urges him to read it because it is “different” he says “It is personal”. From the first pages, Edward discovers a moving novel, deep, a new style, but yet over the pages it is a feeling of horror that invades him - This manuscript that he holds in his hands is other than the story of a crime committed thirty years ago, a terrible secret that has haunted Edward ever since, for he was unwittingly one of the actors. And in this manuscript, the culprit points out in spite of himself: it is Nicolas Fabry, this close friend. Realizing that this book will bring his friend fame and fortune, Edward sees the possibility of using the enormous potential of this book to shape his revenge. Without apparent violence, the respectable Sir Edward Lamb will gradually mount the most extraordinary and implacable of machinations.