Patterson is back on track with this addition to the Alex Cross series. Detective-turned-FBI-Agent Cross is drawn in a suspected case of a female serial killer which is unique. Each of the victims is tied to the movie industry. Besides leaving trademark stickers with the letters A or B on them, Mary Smith also emails a Los Angeles Times entertainment writer a letter to the victim describing how the gruesome crime was committed.

Alex's family life seems to be imploding as Christine Johnson attempts to gain sole custody of LIttle Alex and his relationship with San Francisco police detective Jamilla starts to crumble under the pressure of his job.

Patterson has turned back to the type of stories that made Alex Cross so interesting: quick-paced suspence and just a touch of mystery. The identity of Mary is kept a secret until a very surprising ending. Patterson definitely throws a few red herrings at the readers with this one.