To escape the gut-churning violence of LAPD, Garrett Evans moves home to sleepy Artemis, West Virginia to take over his deceased father's position as Chief of Police. The peaceful environment helps him hide his struggle with PTSD-- Until Garrett kills a man and loses his job when his mental condition is questioned.Things only get worse from there. New York P.I. Chester LaSalle is searching for a missing girl last seen in Artemis. Working together, Garret and LaSalle dig up small town secrets best left buried behind the barn. It appears a serial killer has murdered transient prostitutes around Artemis for decades. Telltale signs point to a suspect Garrett doesn't want to consider. No way Smiley Carmichael, the most respected man in Artemis, is a serial killer.As if Garrett didn't have enough problems, LaSalle is hiding his own secret. He's not just seeking a missing girl. He's been hired to murder the person who made her disappear.