Butch Roberson was known by all as a local business owner, a hard worker, and a family man. Then he disappeared, leaving two dead bodies in his wake. Now he's known as a murderer - though Joe Pickett cannot believe someone as gentle as Butch could have the instincts of a killer.

But when Joe hears the story of how Butch was bullied by the authorities, of how his longed-for retirement home was taken away from him, of how his finances were destroyed and his family torn apart – he starts to wonder if perhaps the man just cracked.

It's an awful story. But is it the whole story? When Joe investigates further, he finds himself in the middle of a war he never expected and never wanted. Powerful forces want Roberson not just caught, but dead – and the same goes for anyone who stands in their way.

PRAISE FOR THE JOE PICKETT SERIES:

'I love Joe Pickett' Michael Connelly.

'Solid-gold A-list must-read' Lee Child.

'Heart-stoppingly good'

C.J. Box is the winner of the Anthony Award, Prix Calibre 38 (France), the Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, the Barry Award, and is an Edgar Award and L.A. Times Book Prize finalist. He lives in Wyoming.