His secret inner self emerges to turn John's charmed life inside out. Why did he murder a helpless girl? In searching for answers, he confronts ruthless men sworn to destroy him. Lost lovers, his family and innocent others are swept up in a shocking betrayal-spawning violence and vengeance, and testing the limits of strength, courage, and loyalty-and revealing the unique resilience of women. His journey takes place amidst familiar events of the late twentieth century, but it transports him to mysterious places: where ancient life persists still, where good arises from evil, and where conventional notions of time are upended.