Sadistic genius has to find an outlet, and is there any better than manipulating and torturing a beautiful, smart, witty, woman who's been horribly damaged by childhood abuse? Penn Stone creates tabloid-worthy stories by luring former lovers to grisly deaths. Stories are the hallmark of civilization. So when he manipulates and kills, he does it for the sake of civilization. Besides, it's fun. Beautiful, witty, and damaged, by the unspeakable things done to her when she was abducted at age eleven, Lucinda McConnell seems the perfect victim. To break her will, Penn expertly plays out a twisted scenario, but no longer the defenseless victim, she has other ideas.