The Investigation

The Investigation (original title Śledztwo) is a science fiction/detective/thriller novel[1] by the Polish writer Stanisław Lem.

A young Scotland Yard lieutenant Gregory investigates the mysterious disappearances of corpses from London morgues to reappear somewhere else.

Sciss ponders upon this and thinks that this phenomenon existed for a long time and may explain the belief in resurrection in many religions.

As in almost all Lem's production, philosophical and epistemological questions are presented under the simple surface of the plot: what is the role of scientific inquiry?

Lem wrote that he received many angry letters from readers who demanded an explanation how corpses can move.

First edition (publ. MON)
cover art by Antoni Boratyński