Strike and Robin's lives are thrown into disarray when a severed leg is sent to his office. The subsequent gruesome investigation and the ups and downs of Strike's troubled past make up the overall plot of the book.

This book started with a bang that really blew me away and ended with a feeling akin to annoyance. It is good that Rowling tries to introduce new themes and environments in her novels, but she doesn't always master them. The writing got bland after some time and I finished it just for the sake of finishing a book. I sincerely hope the next book makes up for the boredom.