Montezuma County Sheriff's detective, Jude Devine doesn't face too many
challenges based in remote Paradox Valley, where most of the crime
involves hiker assaults, campsite thefts, and cattle rustling. However,
when the body of a local teenager shows up with a stake through her
heart, Jude finds herself leading an investigation no one wants to
touch.

As Jude uncovers the truth about the murder and tries to save a young
girl from being forced into a plural marriage, she must decide how much
she is willing to risk to see justice done. Further complicating her
choices is her torrid entanglement with the golden girl of Southwestern
forensic pathology, Dr. Mercy Westmoreland.

First in the Jude Devine series.