"Terrifying and brilliant" this psychological thriller "challenges our most basic ideas of who and what we are" (Whitley Strieber, New York Times–bestselling author of Critical Mass). Tom's life is not what it once was. His marriage to the beautiful Nora is on the rocks and he now sees his two young children only on her say-so. A psychologist, Tom wiles away the time trying to teach bored grad students. But that all changes when his best friend Neil comes back into his life. A neuroscientist, Neil reveals that he has been working for the National Security Agency, cracking the minds of suspected terrorists. Now it is Neil himself who has cracked—what's more, he has left behind evidence that he has been employing his unique skills on civilians—obsessed with the idea that he can control the human brain. Thus begins a terrifying sequence of events as Neil starts to kidnap and mutilate people with a connection to Tom. He damages their brains and then releases them—often leaving them mad. But only when he gets near his ultimate target does he reveal the full horror of his plan . . . "A dark, insightful, and deeply disturbing tale that will make you question everything you knew—or thought you knew—about yourself." —Tess Gerritsen, New York Times–bestselling author of The Keepsake "An outstanding read, as fascinating as it is original." —Douglas Preston, New York Times–bestselling author of Blasphemy