Perhaps it was fitting justice: a dentist who was overly fond of administering pain found murdered in his own chair. The question for Seattle Homicide Detective J.P. Beaumont is not so much who wanted Dr. Frederick Neilson dead, but rather who of the many finally reached the breaking point. There's something particularly sordid about this investigation and its subsequent revelations of violence, cruelty, infidelity and sexual abuse. But the most damning piece of evidence is one that will shake Beau to the core of his beliefs...and reveal to him the true meaning of evil.