Alex Cross, a black Washington, DC ., police detectív s Ph.D . in psychológa, a Jezzie Flanagan, a biely motorkovanie Secret Service agent, berie na vedomie, že ich práca spolu s priamu a chilling psychopath, ktorý bol stretnutý dva deti z posh private school. The psychotic villain, ktoré aspires to become more notorious than Lindbergh baby kidnapper Bruno Hauptmann, is effectively nightmarish. Atypical characters, sex, sometimes shocking violence, a several surprising plot twists sú všetky pozornosti, while krátke chapters s shifting viewpoint add brisk pacing and genuine suspense. Patterson's storytelling talent je v hornej forme v tejto grisly escapist yarn.