The Night the Heads Came is a thriller that puts an emphasis on action and does not have much thematic depth or sophisticated characterization. The main character is the narrator Leo Kasden. He and his friend Tim are soon to be seniors in high school. Tim is an artist with hopes of becoming an illustrator of books; it is his ambition that gets the story moving and provides much of the impetus for events as the plot unfolds.

Leo has a few traits that prove invaluable to the narrative. He is a man of action who doesn't fall into confusion and panic when faced with new problems; he confronts them directly and quickly devises plans of action.

This intrepidity and resolve allow him to be not only an observing narrator but a fully active participant in the forefront of events where the most intriguing...