The story follows a group of nine high-level translators hired to work on the final book of a highly anticipated trilogy by successful entrepreneur Eric Angstrom. They gather at a French manor house owned by a Russian billionaire, where they're isolated from the outside world and must hand over their electronic devices to prevent leaks. The translators have access to only 20 pages of the book each day and must work in a secure bunker under strict conditions. Among them are diverse characters like Helene Toxin, who has to leave her family behind, and Talma Elves, an outgoing girl from Portugal.