At first, Clayton Deese seems like your run-of-the-mill criminal - a gun for hire that keeps the boss from the cops. But after he skips bail following a job gone wrong, the U.S. Marshals see that he could be the key to the whole operation's undoing.

As marshals begin the search of Deese's place, they find something far darker than they ever expected. There are countless graves lining the back of the house, trophies from a score of killings. Deese may have seemed small-time but the evidence says otherwise - they are dealing with a frenzied and prolific serial killer.

Now Lucas Davenport must find him - after all, that's what he does best. But Deese is ruthless, has an endless network of allies and - as Davenport will come to find - he is also full of surprises . . .

***READERS LOVE THE PREY SERIES***

'John Sandford knows all there is to know about detonating the gut-level shocks of a good thriller' The New York Times Book Review

'The best Lucas Davenport story so far. The man has a fine touch for outlaws' Stephen King on Golden Prey

'Sandford's trademark blend of rough humor and deadly action keeps the pages turning until the smile-inducing wrap-up, which reveals the fates of a number of his quirky, memorable characters' Publishers Weekly on Golden Prey

'Sandford has always been at the top of any list of great mystery writers. His writing and the appeal of his lead character are as fresh as ever' The Huffington Post

'Sandford is consistently brilliant' Cleveland Plain Dealer