"...She was Chyna; they were one and the same, because all lost girls are the same girl, united by their suffering." 
 My reaction to this book: Wow. I am utterly astounded. Color me impressed. This book is truly profound. The detail, the depth, the meaning, the power, the emotion; fear, rage, justice, cruelty, evil, hatred, love, peace. At this point in time, this is my favorite book. Dean Koontz is easily one of the greatest writers of all time. His ability to place himself into so many personas and reach so many different characters with such depth. I'm completely blown away. Chyna Shepherd truly is a selfless and powerful heroine, well deserving of admiration. Just a remarkable story. And the amount of details put into every bit of the story made everything visually come to life in the minds eye. So much detail. Ah, I wish desperately to one day have a fraction of Dean Koontz incredible talent. His writing is so truly amazing. The story did not lag in the least bit. While their was not constant action, it had the reading building and building and building until you are holding onto the edge of your seat, eyes wide, breathing quick, feeling every bit of fear and relief and joy and sadness with the character. Goodness gracious, one day I must meet Mr.Dean Koontz. 
 Summary of the story: The protagonist of the story is a young woman named Chyna. She is driving with her one and only friend Laura to Laura's parents home to spend the weekend. The first night they arrive, terror strikes the family home. A man has entered the home and slaughtered everyone. Chyna, desperately trying to escape notice and save herself is on all alert. Carefully moving through the home, hiding, reminds her of her own childhood; when her mothers dangerous company would seek her out. Upon realizing that her friend Laura is the only survivor, Chyna is horrified to see her condition but relieved that she is still alive. She tells her to wait and that she will find help. Chyna unfortunately is too late. She is in a state of emotional panic and horror at the graphic murder scenes of this innocent family, and her fear turns to justified rage. She decides to board his mobile home and stowaway, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, to repay justice to the monster who has savagely ripped apart the lives of this poor family. While on board, she discovers the body of her friend Laura as well as that of another man in a closet whose eyes and mouth sewn shut. Chyna is met with horror once again upon this startling discovery, and begins to second guess her decision of boarding this man's vehicle. Trembling with fear and trying hard to keep her doubts at bay while steadying her breathing, she must figure out a way to safely leave the vehicle without notice. After the mobile home makes a stop at a gas station, Chyna stealthily makes her way out of the vehicle without notice, and after entering the gas station, she asks the two gentleman behind the counter not to let the man know that she is there. She then hides in the store. Both men, now cautious and confused, are weary of the man as he re-enters the store. The man enthusiastically chats with them, and begins to tauntingly play with them, taunting them, waiting for a reaction. He tells the men that he has a beautiful underage girl just waiting to "ripen" before he touches her, locked in a cellar beneath his home and shows them a photograph. Chyna, enraged by this knowledge, finds newfound determination. 
 "'He's going to get away. Jesus. No, intolerable, unthinkable. He can't be allowed to get away, never pay for what he did to Laura, to all of them- even worse, have a chance to do it again...'" 
 "Who is ever there for frightened girls hiding in the backs of closets or under beds...?" 
 She decides that she must save this girl, to redeem herself of a lifetime of hiding, a lifetime of not fighting back, a lifetime of being afraid. She once again embarks on a horrifying journey with this man, in hopes that he will lead her to the young girl. 
 "And in saving the girl, she would save herself. And in her heart she knew that risking all was less crazy than living a life that had no higher goal than survival." 
 "'Chyna Shepherd, untouched and alive...'"