The novel features Washington D.C. Metro Police homicide detectives Alex Cross and John Sampson as protagonists. While investigating the wrongful conviction and execution of US Army Sergeant Ellis Cooper, their investigation uncovers a series of Army personnel wrongfully convicted and executed for murdering countless civilians. In each instance, the murderer's modus operandi involved painting the corpse.

In the course of the investigation, Cross and Sampson discover that three Army Rangers, nicknamed "The Three Blind Mice" had committed similar crimes during the Vietnam War.