Tenderness is a 1997 novel written by Robert Cormier. It is the basis for John Polson's 2009 film, Tenderness. Plot Eric Poole is a convicted teenage serial killer. Lorelei "Lori" Cranston is a troubled 15-year-old girl. As a little boy in New England, Eric Poole already exhibited symptoms of a sociopath. He was suspected of murdering several young girls, but also murdered his mother and stepfather, and was convicted for those deaths. He convinced investigators that he killed his guardians out of self-defense with a false story of abuse. Lori is described as a beautiful girl with a very mature body at a young age. Consequently, she must constantly deal with the wanted and unwanted sexual attention she receives from men. She has a tendency to fixate on men, and will pursue them until she has put her mouth on theirs. Detective Jake Proctor always suspected that Eric was guilty of killing the other girls and that he had fabricated his abuse story. He is determined to prove that Eric is a serial killer. At 18, Eric is released from the juvenile detention center and immediately starts looking for a new victim. Lori sees him on TV, fixates on him, and runs away from home to find him. During this time, Detective Proctor begins setting a trap to catch Eric before he can kill again. Supporting characters Lieutenant Jake Proctor Retired cop, now a detective. Proctor labeled Eric a psychopath and a monster incapable of feeling. Proctor doubts Eric's accusations of abuse and strongly suspects Eric of having committed at least two other murders. The two seem to like each other but are ultimately at cross purposes. Proctor takes Eric's case personally, as 20 years before he let another young man, who resembles Eric and also suspected of murder, go free when he had equally strong doubts. Now Proctor is determined to prove Eric’s guilt and put and bring him to justice, this time as an adult. Proctor hopes this will put an end to his nightmares of murder victims denied justice that keep him up at night. Aunt Phoebe A well-dressed, never married, and attractive woman, Eric's aunt is also the owner of the parrot murdered at Eric’s hands. She offers Eric a place to stay once he is released from the facility. Maria Valdez The beautiful dark-haired, dark-eyed Hispanic girl who fits the usual look of Eric's victims.