Dick became convinced that Perry was that rarity, 'a natural killer' - absolutely sane, but conscienceless, and capable of dealing, with or without motive, the coldest-blooded deathblows'. On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, a wealthy farmer, his wife and their two young children were found brutally murdered. Blood all over the walls, the telephone lines cut, and only a few dollars stolen.

Heading up the investigation is Agent Al Dewey, but all he has are two footprints, four bodies, and a whole lot of questions.