Caitlin was born with a misshapen body, losing her mother at her birth. Rather than fulfilling a promise made to her dying mother, her father cherishes his tiny daughter, and although, eventually, his behavior seems to be the ultimate betrayal, she learns to think and fight for herself and her beliefs. The times she lives in are perilous, reading is banned, obedience to the literal fundamentalist government is required, and citizens are drugged into compliance, with harsh living conditions and slave labor the norm. The tiny nation, within the territory of the United States, is determined to beat down all opposition to their warped and evil representations of Christian mores.

Into this world, a confused, frightened and yet dedicated Caitlin makes a break for the "outside." Along the way, she finds help and solace with two others who have their own reasons to escape to the outside, and they encounter what can only be represented as a modern day Underground Railroad, determined to get people to freedom, to the "outside."

Even the minor characters are well presented, and the story is both moving and compelling. In the true pattern of thrillers, we are kept in the dark about why Caitlin is running, and who is pursuing her - and in fact, even Caitlin herself is seeking answers that elude her. Her two companions both enhance and confuse her escape, making each segment of the journey full of drama and trouble. As the story unfolds, the reader will come to appreciate and understand all the separate factors that need to come together in order for Caitlin to fulfill her destiny, and will be fascinated when the haunting secret is at last revealed. It is a book both interesting and discouraging, but the ultimate conclusion gives a sense of hope and completion to the awe-inspiring narrative. ENJOY!