In Connecticut, a publisher's wife is taken hostage by a suspected killer making a getaway. The man, Dick Dart, was arrested as a suspect in the knifing death of four divorcees in their bedroom. He is intuitive and clever and Nora Chancel, who previously led the life of a bored housewife, can only stay alive by feeding his ego and outwitting him without seeming to do so. Over the next 10 days she grows in stature and courage.