Die Bewohner von Little Tall Island warten auf den Jahrhundertsturm. Doch gerade als die ersten Flocken fallen, stirbt Martha Clarendon, eine der ältesten Einwohnerinnen, nach unsagbar grausamer Tortur. Der Täter sitzt derweil völlig gelassen in ihrem Schaukelstuhl, beobachtet das langsam trocknende Blut und wartet darauf, Constable Mike Anderson mit seiner schlichten Forderung zu konfrontieren.

Autorentext
Stephen King is the bestselling author of more than fifty books. He won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller as well as the Best Hardcover Book Award from the International Thriller Writers Association.

Many of his books have been turned into celebrated films. Over the years, King has had various cameo roles in film adaptations of his books as well as playing rhythm guitar in the Rock Bottom Remainders, a rock and roll band made up of some of America's bestselling and best-loved writers

He was the recipient of the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives with his wife, novelist Tabitha King, in Maine, USA.