A commercial jetliner disaster has brought forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan to the North Carolina mountains as a member of the investigative agency DMORT. As bomb theories abound, Tempe discovers evidence that raises alarming questions -- and gets her thrown from the DMORT team. Relentless in her pursuit, Tempe uncovers a shocking tale of deceit as she probes her way into frightening territory -- where someone wants her silenced . . .

While trying to piece together the violence of the past on a dig in Guatemala, forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan becomes involved in a fresh wave of terror. When the horrific sounds of a fatal attack on two colleagues is heard on a blood-chilling satellite call and four privileged young women vanish from Guatemala City, Tempe is called in to investigate. Soon she finds herself caught in a dangerous web of power, money and greed that threatens to destroy her.

A string of disturbing cases has put Tempe Brennan's vacation plans on hold. Instead, she heads to the lab to analyze charred remains from a suspicious fire, and a mysterious black residue from a small plane crash. But most troubling of all are the bones discovered on a remote farm. X-rays and DNA may link the crimes, but they can't reveal who is closing in on Tempe -- and how far they will go to keep her from uncovering the truth.