Young couples are disappearing and then their bodies are turning up in remote areas weeks or months after the initial disappearance. With little forensic evidence to go on and the FBI and CIA playing their cards close to their chests, including Benton Wesley, Dr Kay Scarpetta finds herself frozen out. When the latest couple includes the daughter of the 'Anti-Drug Czar', Pat Harvey, the investigation becomes even more fraught and Scarpetta is unsure who to trust.

I didn't find this one quite as gripping as the previous two, but it was still an excellent read. The case itself has several twists and turns but it does drag a little at times. The more interesting points in this book are the interpersonal relationships: it never ceases to amaze me how quickly those in charge around Scarpetta never hesitate to throw her under the bus when it is expedient to them. Marino is about the only person in this one that she can fully trust and their friendship has developed to a greater degree. I'm enjoying my re-read of this series so far.