Hovedpersonen har glemt alt; hele hans liv er visket ut. Da han forlater puben og kommer ut på gaten, vet han ikke engang hvor han befinner seg. Motvillig innhentes han av fortiden og blir konfrontert med spørsmålet om han kan ha drept en kvinne og fosteret hun bar.
He was born in Trondheim. He is best known for his crime fiction, but is also the author of some children's books and several radio plays. His first book was published in 1968. His works have been translated into German, Danish, Swedish, Dutch and French.
Skagen has received several awards, including the Norwegian Booksellers' Prize in 1985 and the Glass Key Award in 1996 for best Nordic crime novel.