In this powerful psychological thriller, veteran police officer Bernard Schaffer reunites detective Carrie Santero with manhunter Jacob Rein—to plumb the depths of a madman's obsession . . .

"I am The Master . . ."

Fifteen years ago, a deranged young man abducted a teenage girl in a parking lot. He chose her for her innocence. Punished her for her beauty. Dowsed her with gasoline and tried to purify her with fire. Detective Jacob Rein managed to stop the lunatic and lock him up for life. Now the girl who survived that horrible ordeal has been found dead, an apparent suicide. Near her body is a letter from "The Master"—a bloodchilling promise to finish what he started.

"I long to relive everything we had before . . ."

Now The Master has chosen new objects of desire—all dear to Carrie—and he is about to be released from a mental facility. Carrie reaches out to the one man who knows The Master better than anyone else. Jacob Rein understands the depths of his psychosis. He knows that the only way to anticipate The Master's next move is to enter his delusions. Indulge his obsessions. And follow his lead to the very edge of madness—and beyond.