Set in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1793, King Gustav is assassinated. The country's coffers are empty after years of foreign wars. The kingdom is ruled by an elite who care only about their own interests, leaving the citizens to suffer, and discontent and suspicion spread in the streets. A body is found in the city swamp. It is found by Inspector Mikkel Kardel, and the case is taken over by Detective Cecil Wijné, a tuberculosis patient whose days are numbered. Cecil and Kardel team up, and they become embroiled in a harsh world teeming with street children, thieves, hired killers, and brothel owners. The crime reveals a city rife with corruption beneath its deceptive facade. The 1793 novel depicts the human capacity for atrocities motivated by survival or greed, as well as the values ​​​​that lie within love, friendship, and the desire to create a better world. “Intense, bloody, enigmatic, spellbinding, the best historical thriller I've read in 20 years.” – A.J. Finn “Sensational, beautiful, intelligent, and unnerving, reading it is like giving oneself a gift.” – Fredrik Backman “Sensational, stunning, brilliant, and gripping.” – The Washington Post “A gripping historical thriller... captivating and vibrant.” – The Observer