When a family of four is brutally murdered, it sends a shockwave of fear through Colorado Springs.  Police believe they have a spree killer on their hands, until Lt. Joe Kenda discovers a gruesome connection between the perpetrator and his victims.

When carefree restaurant worker Donald Ott is found shot to death on Christmas Day, friends tell police he didn't have an enemy in the world. Then Lt. Joe Kenda learns of a relative with a long criminal history who might hold the key to the mystery.