The victim was buried alive in the Georgia woods–then killed in a horrifying fashion. When Sara Linton and Jeffrey Tolliver stumble upon the body, both become consumed with finding out who killed the pretty, impeccably dressed young woman. And for Sara and Jeffrey, a harrowing journey begins, one that will test their own turbulent relationship and draw dozens of lives into the case.

Lena Adams is one of them. A Grant County detective for years, she has her own reasons for being drawn to this case and a fierce drive to see justice done. For these three people, who have each seen the darkest side of human nature, the body of the murdered girl is but the first in a series of shocking and sordid revelations.

Now, as Jeffrey and Sara narrow the field of suspects, they must confront their own doubts and indiscretions, while Lena Adams sees herself reflected in the frightened eyes of a battered woman who may be the key figure in the case.

I liked the first part a little and then it got confusing to me. Who were all these characters? Jumping from Lena to Sara just like I knew them. Who was Jefferson? Who is John Gault?

I understand now that there’s a series and that’s probably why some of the scenes felt like I’ve tuned it to watch a movie half way through. But still. It felt disjointed a little.

Lena is pregnant. She lives with an abusive boyfriend who just got out of jail. She had an abortion. She can’t handle cases now where the victim was pregnant. Where there’s domestic abuse. Where there’s more than domestic abuse. I was bored – if I can say that – of how much abuse there was in this book. Sara’s mother had an affair before Sarah was born with the man who established the church. The church is now led by the man’s son, Lev and Sara notices that she has the same hair and eyes as Lev causing her to wonder about her mother’s long-ago affair.

The main plot is that someone in Grant County thinks it’s great to bury kids alive for a few days to punish them. Only this time, one of them dies and it’s up to Sara and Jeffrey to find out what is going on.

If you don’t like rape, wife beatings, girlfriend beatings and violence, don’t read this. There is only so many times I can read ridiculous actions and responses to abuse. Also, abortion was called “cowardly” more than once.