In the novel, Jacob Kell is a serial killer who terrorized Arizona in the 1970s. He left a trail of mutilated corpses and remained at large for years, becoming one of the most infamous unsolved cases in the state. The character of Jacob Kell adds an element of mystery and suspense to the story as the protagonist, Jason Dessen, becomes entangled in a web of conspiracy surrounding Kell's disappearance and the secrets it holds.
