At the center of this gripping epic novel of mass murder, pursuit, and psychological terror is thomas bishop, a psychotic young killer who believes he is the son of caryl chessman, who was executed for rape in California...At the center of this gripping epic novel of mass murder, pursuit, and psychological terror is thomas bishop, a psychotic young killer who believes he is the son of caryl chessman, who was executed for rape in California amid intense controversy. Subjected to unmerciful physical and mental torture from an early age, bishop kills his mother at the age of 10 and is placed in an institution for the criminally insane.