A predatory religious zealot stalks two young children across the Ohio River valley to recover a hidden fortune stolen by their executed father. John and Pearl Harper find themselves targeted by Henry "Preacher" Powell, a man who uses his charismatic facade to manipulate vulnerable widows. After their father is executed for a robbery, the children become the sole keepers of the secret regarding the location of the stolen money. The narrative follows their desperate flight through a landscape defined by poverty and religious superstition, as they attempt to evade a man who views their innocence as a tool for his own greed. The story utilizes a third-person perspective that shifts between the children's perspective and the menacing presence of their pursuer.

Readers frequently highlight the unsettling atmosphere and the visceral nature of the antagonist, whose dualistic personality remains a focal point of analysis. Discussion often centers on the author's ability to blend suspense with a dreamlike, almost nightmarish quality that elevates the narrative beyond a standard crime thriller. Critics often note the effective use of regional dialect and the stark, expressionistic prose that mirrors the tension of the children's flight. The book is widely recognized for its influence on cinematic horror, with many readers appreciating how the text maintains its intensity through the children's limited understanding of the adult world. The balance between the grim reality of the setting and the almost mythic quality of the villain's pursuit continues to generate interest among those who study mid-century American literature.