Judy Hammer, sent to Richmond, Virginia to help clean up their police force, becomes involved, along with her deputy chief, in the most challenging case of her career.

Medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta is anticipating a quiet New Year's Eve when she is called to investigate the death of a reporter found in the murky waters of a Navy shipyard. Her findings about the cause of death sets the FBI onto the story the dead man was following, leading Scarpetta and everyone involved into the hands of a cult fanatic.