In exchange for her cooperation in giving up the location of the bodies of some of her victims, Gretchen insists she will only give her confession to Archie.

Now, another killer is seizing young teenaged girls. He is called "The After School Strangler". The bodies of the tortured girls, which have all been soaked in a tub of bleach, are dumped around the Portland area. Archie is head of the task force investigating the murders and turns for help to Gretchen for her insight about the murderer. Young reporter Susan Ward is assigned to profile Archie to make up for the mix up in the media in the "Beauty Killer" case. A competitive atmosphere develops between herself and Gretchen. Archie must catch the killer and save himself and free himself from Gretchen.

This book is reminiscent of The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal Lecter. It is well crafted in a vivid style. The story shifts from the present search for the killer to Archie's twisted relationship with Gretchen. The plot is a compelling one with interesting characters. The pace is unrelenting, a page turner. The descriptions of Gretchen's treatment of Archie are graphic and horrific. The damp Portland locale adds to the chilling atmosphere of the story.