The affluent residents of Barron, Minnesota, thrive because of a large, yet very secretive, scientific research facility located in the town along the Spirit River. But the downriver residents of St. Croix are not so fortunate, even to the point of blaming the waste runoff from upriver of causing an outbreak of cancer among its citizens. Harsh feelings between the two towns take an even more sinister twist when Ashlynn Steele, daughter of the head of the research facility, is found shot to death in a secluded park. Accused of the crime is Olivia Hawk, a St. Croix girl who hated Ashlynn and was seen at the park.

Olivia's mother, Hannah, has no choice but to contact her ex-husband Chris, a Minneapolis attorney, for help in proving their daughter's innocence. As Chris investigates the circumstances of Ashlynn's murder and tries to save Olivia, he also discovers a lot of unsavory things about the inhabitants of both towns. It seems the list is long of people who want to perpetuate the feud, even to the point of death. And it doesn't help matters when a weird psychopath calling himself Aquarius starts making disturbing threats against everyone involved in both towns.

Brian Freeman knows how to write psychological suspense and really packs a punch with SPILLED BLOOD. The tension is taut as each new twist and turn is revealed on the way to a gripping conclusion. A great thriller!