In Room 217 of the Lakes Region Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic, something evil has awakened. Brady Hartsfield, perpetrator of the Mercedes Massacre, has been in the clinic for five years in a vegetative state. Behind the drool and stare Brady is awake, and in possession of deadly new powers that allow him to wreak unimaginable havoc without ever leaving his hospital room. Retired police detective Bill Hodges now runs an investigation agency with his partner, Holly Gibney. When they are called to a suicide scene with ties to the Mercedes Massacre, they find their lives at risk-- and an entire city in danger.