In Paint Mill, Ohio, Chief of Police Kate Burkholder's biggest worry is loose cattle causing highway accidents. That changes in the blink of an eye when a series of brutal murders occurs. They are identical to the killings that rocked the small community 16 years ago. Kate performs a balancing act as she seeks the killer while attempting to hide her own damning secret involving the murders those many years ago. Kate breaks her silence and confers with her Amish brother about the events that took place that horrendous summer. The episode precipitated Kate leaving the Amish community.

The city council demands fast results and, behind Kate's back, calls in aid from a sheriff in an adjoining county and a man from the state criminal division, John Tomasetti. As the killer escalates in brutality, creating havoc in the small town, Kate stumbles and John learns her deepest secret. Carrying his own baggage, John is prepared to let Kate reveal the truth. Unfortunately, events spiral out of control leaving Kate exposed to the killer.

Linda Castillo gives a bone-chilling portrait of a sadistic serial killer. Her strong character development of the ex-Amish cop and a burnt-out law officer battling his own demons combined with the cold, windswept winter setting adds to the tension and is an omen of forthcoming conflicts. It is an excellent beginning for the new Kate Burkholder series.