Years have passed since psychologist Alex Cross witnessed the drive-by slaying of his wife, Maria. Since then, he has pieced together the semblance of a life with his grandmother and children, continuing his work as a high-stakes shrink. That calm routine is broken by a request from his former partner, John Sampson, to help solve a case with indirect links to Maria's murder. Alex Cross in the crosshairs; James Patterson's signature character in his most personal case.