"The Scapegoat" by Richard Maples is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century, specifically in the 1950s. The story revolves around themes of identity, morality, and the complex relationships between individuals and society. The narrative follows a newspaper man who uncovers a shocking truth about a mysterious old man after witnessing him being attacked. In the book, protagonist Edward Potter finds himself embroiled in chaos after he rescues an old man named Ashe from a violent assault. As Ashe recuperates, he reveals that he possesses the ability to take on different forms, including that of Potter himself. Their relationship complicates further when Ashe inadvertently entangles Potter’s son, Tommy, in a shoplifting incident, leading to severe consequences for the boy. As Potter grapples with the repercussions of Ashe's actions, he must confront the moral dilemmas of his own profession, the challenges of his family life, and the haunting presence of Ashe, who represents both a scapegoat for Potter's internal conflicts and a catalyst for his personal and professional reckoning. The tension escalates as Ashe's true nature is revealed, forcing Potter to navigate a chaotic world where truth and identity are fluid and fraught with peril. (This is an automatically generated summary.)