Quadriplegic forensic criminologist Lincoln Rhyme and his partner, Amelia Sachs, engage in a two-day race against time when a twisted killer, exploiting the modern world's drive toward sustainable energy, uses an everyday energy source as a weapon.

Renowned investigator and forensics expert, Lincoln Rhyme, is drafted to investigate the sniper-killing of a U.S. citizen in the Bahamas. While his partner, Amelia Sachs, traces the victim's steps in Manhattan, Rhyme leaves the city to pursue the sniper himself.