"The Guilty" is a critique of contemporary American society, its moral and ethical value systems, which are found to be wanting. The problems are evident: rampant divorce leading to the breakup of families, adultery, child abuse, alcohol abuse, and other drug abuses. However, the greatest wide spread basic evil of our time is greed, capable of spawning its own set of evil motivations. In "The Guilty," author Lester Key uses fiction to illustrate several of the most reprehensible behavior trends. He has also laid bare the racial prejudice that, unfortunately, remains in this country. But do not despair; in "The Guilty," Key believes he has found the solution to most of our social lack of moral and ethical values.