When a retired criminal prosecutor decides to try his hand at writing a novel he finds himself inextricably drawn into the harrowing events of an unsolved crime. Re-investigating the brutal rape and murder of a beautiful woman he discovers devastated lives, corrupt government officials and a lost love. But as he delves deeper he finds himself at the dark heart of society, where mysteries lurk in the shadows and danger waits around every corner.

Strewn with ingenious twists and turns, this stunning, edge-of-your-seat thriller is a cinematic tour de force of nail-biting suspense and white-knuckle excitement. Hailed by critics and the public alike, this critically-acclaimed box office smash has also been graced with film's greatest accolade: an Academy Award.