In the snow-covered Gorky Park of Moscow, three faceless corpses are discovered, setting off a gripping investigation into their identities and the circumstances of their deaths. Leading the investigation is Arkady Renko, a chief investigator for the Soviet militsiya, who quickly finds himself entangled in a complex web of KGB agents, American businessmen, and a mysterious woman who may hold the key to solving the case. Renko's dedication to uncovering the truth brings him into dangerous confrontations with those who wish the secrets of the park's dead to remain buried. His pursuit of justice challenges the limits of his integrity and his loyalty to his country.

The investigation leads Renko into the murky world of Soviet-era corruption, where the lines between friend and foe are blurred, and trust is a commodity few can afford. As he delves deeper, Renko discovers that the murders are tied to a valuable sable smuggling operation, forcing him to navigate a treacherous path between the demands of his superiors and his own moral compass. The closer Renko gets to the truth, the more he risks – not just his career, but his life and the lives of those he cares for. Amidst the cold and shadowy confines of Moscow, the quest for justice becomes a struggle for survival, highlighting the enduring human spirit in the face of systemic oppression.