Troy Turner and Rand Duchay were barely teenagers when they kidnapped and murdered a younger child. Troy, a remorseless sociopath, died violently behind bars. But the hulking, slow-witted Rand managed to survive his stretch. Now, at age twenty-one, he's emerged a haunted, rootless young man with a pressing need to talk once again with psychologist Alex Delaware. But the young killer comes to a brutal end, that conversation never takes place. Did...

Alex Delaware is asked to help his friend, Milo Sturgis, in the investigation of the murder of a promising young artist. Julie Kipper may be just one of many victims of a serial killer who targets rising stars in the art and entertainment business.

When a series of murders are connected with a shadowy psychology practice, Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis must immerse themselves in a world of manipulation and unethical "therapeutic" practices. Delaware must bring his moral clarity to bear on these wrongs, and do his best to see them righted.

It is a case unlike any psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware has ever encountered. Five-year-old Woody Swope is ill, but the real problem is his parents. They refuse to agree to the one treatment that could save this boy's life.