An underground chamber is exposed in a seedy dilapidated house with sagging trim & peeling paint... In the dark cellar a ritualistic display is revealed. A human skull rests on a cauldron surrounded by slain chickens & bizarre figurines. Beads & antlers dangle overhead. Called to the scene is forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan. Bony architecture suggests that the skull is that of a young black female. But how did she die? & when? Then just as Tempe is working to determine post-mortem interval another body is discovered: a headless corpse carved with Satanic symbols. As citizen vigilantes blaming Devil-worshippers begin a witch-hunt intent on revenge Tempe struggles to keep her emotions in check. But the truth she eventually uncovers proves more shocking than even she could have imagined...