The first time Tucker sees Ivy Elgin, she is standing between two tigers that have escaped from a nearby sanctuary. Fearless, her presence calms the animals, and Tucker is struck by the belief that, somehow, she is meant for him. Ivy has the unshakeable feeling that something is about to happen to her, something that will pluck her from her peaceful existence in California and change her life forever.

"A major new work of dark literary, psychological suspense--brilliantly paced with a twisting narrative and chilling antagonists--from #1 bestselling author Dean Koontz. "I very much need to be dead." These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for--but took his own life. In the void that remains stands his widow, surrounded by questions destined to go unanswered unless she does what all the grief, fear, confusion, and fury inside her demand: Find the truth, no matter what. There is no one else to speak for him--or the others who have followed him into death at their own hands. Though people of talent and accomplishment, people admired and seemingly happy and sound of mind, have recently been committing suicide in surprising numbers, no one else is willing to give up everything just to seek, to find, to know. No one except her. But ahead lies only risk. Because those arrayed against her are legion, and dangerously devoted to protecting something profoundly important--or terrifying--enough to exterminate any and all in their way. Too many have already died, and those responsible will learn that all their malevolent power may not be enough to stop a woman as clever as they are cold-blooded, as relentless as they are ruthless--and who is driven by a righteous rage they can never comprehend. Because it is born of love. ACCLAIM FOR DEAN KOONTZ "Dean Koontz is a prose stylist whose lyricism heightens malevolence and tension. [He creates] characters of unusual richness and depth."--The Seattle Times "Tumbling, hallucinogenic prose. 'Serious' writers. might do well to examine his technique."--The New York Times Book Review ""Lyrical writing and compelling characters. Koontz stands alone."--Associated Press "In every industry there exist 'artists' that are not only unforgettable, but know their craft better than the rest. Dean Koontz. is among these artisans."--Suspense Magazine "[Koontz] has always had near-Dickensian powers of description, and an ability to yank us from one page to the next that few novelists can match."--Los Angeles Times "Perhaps more than any other author, Koontz writes fiction perfectly suited to the mood of America. novels that acknowledge the reality and tenacity of evil but also the power of good. [and that] entertain vastly as they uplift."--Publishers Weekly"--

"I very much need to be dead." These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for--but took his own life. In the void that remains stands his widow, Jane, surrounded by questions destined to go unanswered--unless she does what all the grief, fear, confusion, and fury inside of her demands: find the truth, no matter what.

When her successful husband inexplicably commits suicide, Jane Hawk searches for answers and discovers that a dangerous and powerful group is somehow forcing accomplished people to take their own lives.