Published in 1990, the book details all aspects of the creation of Hitchcock's thriller "Psycho' released to theaters in 1960. From Hitchcock's acquisition of the original novel by author Robert Bloch to his work with screenwriters, casting, filming, editing, scoring, and promotion, the book takes readers into the day-to-day lives of moviemakers who believed they were making a modestly budgeted, black-and-white shocker that represented a radical departure from the elegant, suspenseful films that made Hitchcock's reputation.
Rebello researched Hitchcock's personal records and archives, interviewing most of the "Psycho" surviving cast and crew members.
Prior to the book's publication, Rebello's initial research appeared as a 22-page article in the April 1986 issue of "Cinefantastique" magazine titled "Psycho: The Making of Alfred Hitchcock's Masterpiece".