DetectiveMichaelTabbknowsthecityofSt.Louisinsideandout.Hehasfeltitstrueheart,asmuchasitsdarkunderbelly:buthedoesnotknowwho,inboththedarkandlight-istakingthelivesofyounggirls.HeonlyknowsthattheirburnedandbrokenbodiesarewashingashorealongtheMississippiRiver,nevertoreturnhome.Hewearsthescarsoftheonetimehegotclose.Now,he’slivinginthedarknesshimself,perhapstoodeeply.Hisphysicalpainismatchedonlybythepainhefeelseachtimeanotheryounggirlgoesmissingorwashesashore.Self-medicatingtobothwardawayandembracethiskiller,hefallsfartherfromhislight.Truthbetold,thecloserhecomestodeathbyhisownhand,thecloserhegetstosolvingthemurders.