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.
Twelve people have been shot at point-blank range and left
to rot in the desert sun. It’s Sophia St. Claire’s job to
do something about it. She’s Bordertown, Arizona’s new
chief of police—and she’s out of her depth
Help arrives in the form of Department 6 hired gun
Roderick Guerrero. As far as Sophia’s concerned, his
involvement only makes things worse. Maybe he’s managed to
turn his life around. And maybe he’s a good investigator.
But as the bastard son of a wealthy local rancher, he has
a history he can’t get past. A history that includes her.
Rod refuses to leave town until the killer is caught. He’s
not worried about the danger posed by some vigilante. It’s
Sophia who threatens him. Because he’s used to risking his
life—but his heart is another story.