The stories are based on historical events and deal with themes of political deception, betrayal, and murder in Eastern Europe during the first half of the 20th century (except for "Dogs and Books" which takes place in 14th century France).
Novele se temelje na povjesnim događajima i bave se temama političke obmane, izdaje i ubojstva u Istočnoj Europi u prvoj polovini 20. stoljeća (osim novele „Psi i knjige“ u kojoj se radnja odvija u 14. stoljeću).