On an island paradise ...

Called in to examine what is left of a person thought to have been struck by lightning, Dr Temperance Brennan traces an unusual tattoo to its source and is soon embroiled in a much larger case. Young men - tourists - have been disappearing on the islands of Turks and Caicos for years. The first victim was found with his left hand cut off; the others vanished without a trace. Until now.

Danger is lurking ...

The men seem to have nothing in common, other than the unusual locations where their bodies are eventually found and that they all seem to be unlikely victims of foul play.

Do these attacks have something to do with the islands' seething culture of gang violence? Tempe isn't so sure.

And then she turns up disturbing clues that suggest what's at stake may have global significance.