Plenty of twists by the inventive Siegel . . . Crispprose, a breakneck pace, a tart sense of humor, andsome pointed social commentary give this thriller agood deal of bite.

They want what every young couple wants: a child of their own. But Paul and Joanna Breidbart are unable to conceive and American agencies tell them they'll have to wait years to adopt. Then they hear that a baby girl is available in wartorn Colombia...

An insurance executive, Paul knows all about risks. Yet all the statistics in the world can't prepare him for what happens next. Once in Colombia, he and Joanna receive the child of their dreams, and everything seems perfect. Until the afternoon they briefly leave their dauohter alone with a new nanny. When they return, something is terribly different about the child. Suddenly Paul and Joanna's world becomes a dangerous, violent nightmare.., one where Paul Breidbart must give up everything he has to save everyone he loves.