Flynn recounts the story of Eddie Wyatt, an apparently average, happily-married man from Texas, who was responsible for a series of violent rapes. Flynn examines the effect of the revelations about Eddie on his wife Ronda and their children, and asks how it was possible for her to live with him for seven years without having the slightest inkling of sexually violent and criminal behaviour. The book goes on to examine some aspects of Wyatt's background (a tough reform school and drug abuse) that may have contributed to his crimes.