Three bodies are discovered in the local park where Archie had found Gretchen's first victim 12 years ago.  The police worry that a serial killer might be at large. Archie is assigned to the case.

Reporter Susan Ward is finishing her article about a beloved US Senator seducing his children's 14 year old baby sitter 10 years earlier. Susan discovers links between the sex scandal and the bodies in the park, after the Senator's unexpected death. When Gretchen escapes from prison Archie knows he is the only one who can stop her from killing again.

Sweetheart is an intense story of a tortured hero and his struggle to overcome his being in thrall to a serial killer.  It isn't certain whether he will ever be free of Gretchen Lowell or if he ever wants to.  We feel his physical and emotional pain as well as his wife's struggle to combat the strength of Gretchen's hold on Archie.   The characters are well developed.  The pace is constant and full of suspense.  The atmosphere of Portland, Oregon is well attuned with the nature of the story.