The basic premise—a serial killer who uses a large van as a mobile killing room in which he murders hitchhikers—was apparently inspired by the case of Lawrence Bittaker and Roy Norris.

These lead Martin to becoming a peeping tom; between the ages of 7 and 11, he spends his free time spying on his neighbors and observing sexual encounters.

He steals from his mother to finance a series of wardrobes which will allow him to blend in with as diverse a number of people as possible; when she punishes him, he switches her muscle relaxers with massive quantities of amphetamines, causing her to suffer a psychotic break and slit her wrists; Martin drinks her blood before reporting the suicide.

He begins committing a series of fetishistic burglaries in which he breaks into women's homes, kills their pets, and steals from them after watching them engage in intercourse.

Upon his release, Martin delves further into his fantasy life, with Shroud Shifter urging him to commit more violent crimes in a series of schizophrenic visions.

As time progresses and his body count rises, Martin perfects his techniques, outfitting a Dodge van with a series of hidden compartments and living amenities so that it can act as both his mobile home and murder factory.

Remaining in a catatonic state for an extended period of time, he finally breaks his silence by contacting a publisher and asking for assistance writing his memoirs (which make up the bulk of the novel).

Believing that he has reached the pinnacle of human existence, and robbed of further murder opportunities, he announces his intention to kill himself by willing himself into a state of brain death.