Ann-Victoria Hadley is the most hated woman in Snow Hill, Pennsylvania. She spent most of her 91 years being controversial from her fifth-grade essay on why patriotism was bad for you to her newest assault on her hometown when she joins a lawsuit to keep Intelligent Design out of the public school. Someone takes major offense at Ann- Victoria's action and attacks her with a lead pipe, leaving her near death. The local sheriff calls in a favor and former FBI agent Gregor Demarkian takes a break from his wedding plans with Bennis to investigate the attempted murder.

Never a fan of small towns, Gregor soon finds Snow Hill lives up to his low expectations. Small towns breed intrigue and resentment smoldering under their surface and Snow Hill is no exception. The town has erupted in class warfare over the evolution debate. Gregor sifts through the lawsuit looking for likely suspects where he finds an over abundance of candidates, including the sheriff. When another murder occurs, Gregor must put the pieces together before the town explodes in violence.

Ms. Haddam continues her highly acclaimed Gregor Demarkian series with a fascinating exposé on evolution and intelligent design. She presents the facts and examines the conflict between morality, religion and science. Ms. Haddam challenges stereotypes and tackles preconceived ideas while interweaving a thought-provoking mystery.