While assembling works for a new exhibit featuring the often unusual genre of Outsider Art, Dr. Dulcinea (Dulcie) Chambers encounters an enormously talented and equally troubled young man, Xander Bellamy. An autistic savant, Xander has not communicated with anyone for several months since his father was sent to prison for the murder of Xander’s domineering grandfather.

When the police had originally thought that Xander was the murderer, Xander’s father quickly confessed. Was he simply trying to save his son from being committed to an institution for the criminally insane? Detective Nicholas Black thought the case was closed until Dulcie came to him with compelling evidence that the real killer still could be at large.

Xander’s battle-axe aunt has come to live with him and, along with long-time family housekeeper Giselle, they see to his needs. But is there more to them than meets the eye? Meanwhile Dulcie seeks to see inside Xander’s mind with the help of psychologist Dr. Raymond Armand. However, the ambitious Armand has other ideas about the lovely Dr. Chambers and is about to give Nicholas Black some competition when it comes to her affections.