Belief

Ethan Hall, a serial killer and skilled hypnotist, has made a vow to say a few words. Once he heals from his gunshot wounds, he slips out of hospital and keeps that vow in ways that bring chaos, bereavement and lasting suffering. His weapon is language. He steers other people into carrying out terrible acts, and he aims his revenge at Marcus Kline and the people nearest to him.

A half year has gone by since a run of brutal killings pushed Marcus Kline, the foremost expert on communication and persuasion, into a showdown with Ethan that is unlike any other contest of wits. Marcus now has two urgent goals: keeping his cancer-stricken wife alive and piecing together his career, his standing and his battered sense of self. Ethan, however, has no intention of letting him do either.

With Marcus's faith in himself at its lowest, everyone caught up in the conflict must fight for survival, their sanity and some measure of redemption, and they learn that matters can always grow worse. This is the second novel in the Marcus Kline series and follows on from Influence.