A decomposing body is uncovered in a shallow grave off a lonely beach… It’s a recent burial, and a case Tempe Brennan must take. Dental remains and skeletal gender and race indicators suggest that the deceased is a middle-aged white male – but who was he? Why was he buried in a clandestine grave? And what does the unusual fracture of the sixth cervical vertebra signify? But just as Brennan is trying to piece together the evidence, another body is discovered – and before long Tempe finds herself drawn deeper into a shocking and chilling investigation, set to challenge her entire view of humanity…