ONCE AN AMATEUR SLEUTH, LIV "BOOTS" BERGEN has now found her footing as an official FBI agent. It should be Liv's dream career-she's working closely with a bureau legend, Agent Streeter Pierce, as well as the exotic Agent Jack Linwood, with whom she shares a growing romance. Liv has proven to be an adept agent, and the whole office has been moved to a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in central Denver.

And yet, doubt plagues her. Liv is tormented by the knowledge that her work with the FBI could endanger her extended family-and has almost resolved to leave the bureau as a result. Agent Streeter Pierce, who harbors an affection for Liv that sometimes transcends the professional, comes up with an unorthodox plan to keep her around: she can investigate a cold case that's especially important to her-the kidnapping and murder of her ten-year-old niece, Brianna.

Liv jumps at the chance, but her focus on finding Brianna's killer is soon shaken. Piece by piece, the case reveals itself to be just one point in a harrow- ing series of murders. Spanning decades and the country, the web of crime Liv uncovers causes her to question everything-including the honor and integrity of her own colleagues.