Katrina Gowen seeks refuge from her unspeakable dirty deed at the peak of the desolate Appalachian Mountains. When baby number four (Richard) is born, his forecast is deadly. More despicable than "mommy dearest, " Katrina derives her greatest pleasure from the systematic diminishment of his soul. His innocence is distorted and replaced by a grisly sort of love. Despite his striking outward appearance, he is an eerie mixture of both good and evil intertwined, who searches for what we all yearn for. Love and acceptance. His charms are subtle and toxic, and his power of persuasion almost godlike. Richard is a wolf in sheep's clothing and nobody in his path is safe. Don't miss this richly suspenseful thriller guaranteed to hold you spellbound to the very last page. If you love ''''King'''' and ''''Koontz'''', you're going to love ''''Hogue''''. Note: The Beast Within is a powerful and provocative work recommended for mature audiences only.