An epic second novel from the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger short-listed and Shamus-nominated author of Fever City.

In Ciudad Real, Mexico, a deadly war between rival cartels is erupting, and hundreds of female sweatshop workers are being murdered. As his police superiors start shutting down his investigation, Fuentes suspects most of his colleagues are on the payroll of narco kingpin El Santo.

Meanwhile, despairing union activist Pilar decides to take social justice into her own hands. But if she wants to stop the killings, she's going to have to ignore all her instincts and accept the help of Fuentes. When the name of Mexico's saintly orphan rescuer, Padre Márcio, keeps resurfacing, Pilar and Fuentes begin to realise how deep the cover-up goes.