Clifton and Tricia Long are on Holiday in the Black Forrest of Germany when they become victims of a terrorist attack. The novel, within a novel, follows Cliftons attempt to survive after witnessing a horrific incident, in which he discovers that existence probes deeper than physical reality, and that there is nothing more misleading than simple innocence. The novel within a novel consists of excerpts from a manuscript Clifton had been working on prior to his trip to Germany. Within it, he conceals elements of his former life, even though his novel follows in the footsteps of a sadistic murderer. Delusions explores the nature of evil both historically and personally, and conjours up the notion that, subconsciously, we are all susceptible to darkness.