Forensic detective Lincoln Rhyme investigates his strangest case yet in this diabolical new story.

A serial killer in the making? Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs are called upon to tackle a crime unlike any they've ever faced. An unknown subject is using his formidable skills to work his way into the lives-and hearts-of his victims, all with the goal of utterly destroying them psychologically and emotionally . . . for his pure pleasure. Rhyme recognizes the trademark sadism of a future serial killer, but the man has been meticulously careful-indeed, stopping just short of illegal behavior, ensuring that the criminalist's forensic skills are useless against him. Will Rhyme and Sachs be able to stop the ruthless perp before the inevitable happens and he decides that breaking people metaphorically is no longer enough?