The 4th book in the Pendergast series takes place away from the usual location of NYC. In the very small town of Medicine Creek, KS a brutal murder has taken place and the killer has taken the time to decorate the murder scene with the bodies of dead crows. Special Agent Pendergast is on vacation, trying to put some space between himself and the terrible happenings in the basement of the house on Riverside Drive that belonged to his ancestor, but Pendergast's idea of a vacation is to investigate the strange murder that becomes murders in this small, dying town, much to the dismay of the town's Sheriff Hazen. As the murders build the tension ratchets upward as the townspeople realize the killer has to be one of them. Added to the mix is Dr. Chauncy a geneticist Kansas State who wants to grow genetically engineered corn in either Medicine Creek or another dying town Drepper the play of politics that might be the cause of the killings. Another good, solid book in the series with plenty of tension and suspense to keep the pages turning.