Author of Legend of the Dead, Coyote Returns, The Shadow Catcher, The Dark Canyon, and The Mutes New Mexico State Penitentiary in Santa Fe—a murder. A tormented Benedictine Monk. A new teacher at Las Palmas Middle/High School escaping her past. A Cartel Drug Lord out for vengeance. Sheriff Cliff Lansing meets a mysterious woman who disappears. His only proof she existed—a silver necklace with a turquoise stone called Lagrima de la Madre: Tear of the Mother. What follows is a series of tragedies and death. San Phillipe County is set ablaze as the Owl—the Apache Omen of Death—orchestrates her revenge. To understand what’s happening, Lansing must enter the realm of witchcraft and terror. As forces beyond his control converge on the high desert, Lansing—increasingly alone—finds unlikely allies in a desolate canyon. On the steps of an isolated monastery the agents of Good and Evil gather to fight their ultimate battle—as the Raven watches—biding his time.