For Sophia St. Claire, Bordertown was home and, although it held its share of bad memories, she had responsibilities that kept her there. Bordertown, with its close proximity to Mexico, had a growing problem with people crossing the border and traveling through vast lands that were impossible to monitor. But someone was not only monitoring the arrival of these illegals, they were killing them -- execution style.

The most recent executions occurred in the midst of a trailer camp, proof of the killer's growing confidence. With the body count at twelve, the townspeople were rightfully anxious. Sophia had her suspicions that perhaps these killings were someone's way of discrediting her, to force her out of the job and substitute a more popular candidate.

The last place Roderick Guerrero ever expected to be was back in Bordertown. He was there in response to a surprising summons he received from the man who sired him, Bruce Dunlap. Rod's mother worked the fields for Dunlap and neither was treated with anything but disdain by the Dunlap clan or the townspeople. Rod left after his mothers death never to return. But the phone call from Dunlap asking for his help in stopping these murders gave Rod pause. Not interested in helping Dunlap, he felt connected to the people who, though entering the country illegally, but did not deserve to die.

Coming home also meant facing Sophia who, as a teenager, had dealt a blow to his self esteem. He'd had a crush on her and his world seemed brighter when she agreed to be his date until she humiliated him when she stood him up. Rod spent all these years nursing a grudge against Sophia as perhaps a symbol of the entire town. Returning as a successful investigator would give him an opportunity to not only show the town how wrong they had been about him but give him a chance to exact revenge on Sophia. Funny thing about revenge -- it often comes back to bite you. And, if the sparks that fly every time he and Sophia are together are any sign, maybe returning will provide closure for the past and open some doors for the future. First and foremost they have to watch each other's backs as they uncover a dubious an ever increasing list of suspects.

I defy you to put this book down once you begin. Novak once again gives us a page turner that hints at various culprits but keeps you guessing right up to the end.