Patrick Stetson left his wife and his home for the grit of the South Bronx. He was determined to make detective and to start a family. Calton Cal Johnson just wanted to live in peace in his own little world until he found someone just as lonely as he was. Amanda Stetson changed her life by having a child that wasn t her husband s. Maria Fletcher lived in a world of silence, but she listened to and followed her heart. None of them saw it coming. When all is said and done, they will all be touched by the Sadist.