The murder of a wealthy young woman in 1960s Iowa sparks backlash against a hippie commune in this mystery by the New York Times–bestselling author.

Iowa, 1968. A hippie commune has invaded the small Midwestern town of Black River Falls. While the majority of the townspeople believe the bohemians, despite their bizarre ways, have the right to stay, there are some who constantly accuse the newcomers of everything from criminal activities to Satanism. Tensions boil over when Vanessa Mainwaring, the teenage daughter of one of the town’s wealthiest men, is found murdered in the commune’s barn.

Lawyer and part-time investigator Sam McCain soon finds himself in the middle of the controversy. When a troubled young Vietnam vet named Neil Cameron is immediately charged with the crime, Sam has his doubts. As Black River Falls comes apart at the seams, it’s up to Sam to keep the fragile peace while searching for a vicious killer.

“The kind of hero any small town could take to its heart.” —Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times