Ward Hopkins' past come backs to haunt him with a vengeance when an ex-CIA colleague tracks him down, desperate for help in solving a bizarre series of events.

Meanwhile Ward's brother, the serial killer known as the Upright Man, has escaped from prison - where he was awaiting trial for murders beyond number.

And Hopkins' erstwhile ally, former homicide cop John Zandt, is still on the trail of the organization which killed his daughter and Ward's parents. The further John investigates, the more extraordinary the secrets he uncovers.

The shadows are gathering, and across America sinister forces are stirring. Only Ward, John and FBI agent Nina Baynam stand against this tide, and against the Upright Man - who now has a grudge against just about everyone in the world. It's only a question of where the next killings will start... and whether they will ever stop.