The Praying Mantis Bride (Nameless: Season One, #3)

by Dean Koontz

“A butterfly flyin’ after dark is an omen, means your death is maybe comin’ soon. Don’t look at me like that, smart ass. I never stepped on no eggshells.” Baffled, he says, “Eggshells?” “A woman steps on eggshells means she’ll soon go mad.”

Anyway, I carry a chicory root in one pocket at all times.” His puzzlement seems to exasperate her. “To ensure good luck, of course, and guard against the evil of men.”

They want not merely to destroy the woman psychologically and prevent her from murdering again, but also to terrify and torment her so that she feels keenly the sword of justice.

Each of their missions is instead meant to bring truth and its consequences into the life of someone who has woven a persona of lies, thereby putting an end to his or her crimes.