Michael Hailparn

The Nightmare Michael Hailparn

Publisher Marketing: When a brutal murder by a killer, who miraculous disappears just after committing the murder, is followed by a second murder with the same MO-the right arm ripped from the body and the head crushed-the police commissioner put a top detective team to find the killer. The two detectives, Peter Legler and Margo Freed, do not realize they have been chosen because of their psychological profiles. The commissioner fears a serial killer may be at work and know that Legler and Freed will not let the killer go unpunished, even if evidence is lacking. When third killing occurs, by "Bigfoot," the press's name for the killer, Legler and Freed are under enormous pressure to find the killer, who the coroner insists must be eight feet tall with enormous strength. Legler and Freed find a suspect, Morbius, who hated all the victims but has an airtight alibi: home asleep and having a nightmare. Freed developed a "Jekyll and Hyde" theory that Morbius's nightmares create a real Bigfoot who does the killings. Her views are seen as fanciful and unreal to her colleagues. When a fourth victim is killed in the same way, Freed confront Morbius, who laughs at her accusation. That night Bigfoot came after Freed, Legler found Morbius and kills him during his nightmare. Freed is safe, and Bigfoot is never seen again.