FBI Special Agents Monica Davenport and Luke Dante are sent to the quiet town of Jasper, Mississippi. Although the modi operandi are different, it soon becomes clear that the two murders there are linked - by the notes from the killer and by the victims' fear. When the next woman goes missing, Lavery receives a call and a man's voice whispers, 'What scares you?
Luke has never had a chance to watch Monica work on a profile before and he's amazed at the way she gets into the killer's head, retracing steps at the crime scenes, understanding the fierce need to stir terror in the victims. The killer is now totally focused on Monica. Finally, he's found someone who understands. Someone who knows the thrill of the hunt.
The sheriff thinks that the killer will flee but Monica knows that running isn't an option for him. She doesn't think he fears getting caught - that's not what scares him. She thinks the bastard is playing a game - has been from the beginning and he's not going to stop until the game ends.