The voice is that of Geoff's long-missing brother, Ben. Ben served as their family's scapegoat -- he was the one blamed for every trouble, large or small. Ben was no innocent -- he performed acts of vandalism; he stole; he seemed, even as a child, to be a borderline sociopath. He was also abused, emotionally and physically, by their father. Without that abuse, what might Ben have become? With it, what has Ben become?

In their childhood, Geoff and Ben played a dark game, with Ben devising fiendish puzzles for his younger brother to solve. Now Ben offers Geoff a new set of clues with a terrible secret at its core.

Someone is killing happily married couples, selecting them carefully for the right combination of age and attitude, the right sort of family ties. Ben challenges Geoff to solve the murders ... and warns him that his own family may be in danger if he does not. If Geoff fails, his son may pay the price -- but if he succeeds, will he find that his brother has become a killer?

"Ramsey Campbell writes in a precise, clear prose that somehow manages to be beautiful and terrifying at the same time. He is a powerful, original writer, and you owe it to yourself to make his acquaintance."
   THE WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD