From New York Times bestselling author Karin Slaughter, the first novel in her acclaimed Grant County Series.

Simply one of the best thriller writers working today.--Gillian Flynn, bestselling author of Gone Girl

A small Georgia town erupts in panic when a young college professor is found brutally mutilated in the local diner. But its only when town pediatrician and coroner Sara Linton does the autopsy that the full extent of the killers twisted work becomes clear.

Saras ex-husband, police chief Jeffrey Tolliver, leads the investigationa trail of terror that grows increasingly macabre when another local woman is found crucified a few days later. But hes got more than a sadistic serial killer on his hands, because the countys only female detective, Lena Adamsthe first victims sisterwants to serve her own justice.

But it is Sara who holds the key to finding the killer. A secret from her past could unmask the brilliantly malevolent psychopath or mean her death.

This is Slaughters first novel and a modern classic from one of todays biggest-selling writers.