When a murder suspect commits suicide after his arrest for killing a soybean farmer, Virgil Flowers uncovers a multi-generation, multi-family conspiracy involving a series of monstrous crimes.

A young man committing murder is arrested, only to be found hanging dead in his jail cell the next morning. Suspecting homicide, the sheriff calls Virgil Flowers, who uncovers a multigenerational, multifamily conspiracy of murder and sexual depravity the likes of which their small town has never known.

New York Times fiction bestseller list October 17, 2010.

A young man committing murder is arrested, only to be found hanging dead in his jail cell the next morning. Suspecting homicide, the sheriff calls Virgil Flowers, who uncovers a multigenerational, multifamily conspiracy of murder and sexual depravity the likes of which their small town has never known.

In southern Minnesota, a young man murders a local farmer, drops the body into a grain bin, and then calls the sheriff to report the 'accident.' Suspicious, the sheriff calls in Virgil Flowers, who quickly breaks the kid down. The next day the boy is found hanging in his cell. Virgil suspects foul play, and as he investigates he begins to uncover a multigeneration, multifamily conspiracy - a series of crimes of such monstrosity that even he has difficulty in comprehending it.

In southern Minnesota, a young man murders a local farmer, drops the body into a grain bin, and then calls the sheriff to report the 'accident.' Suspicious, the sheriff calls in Virgil Flowers, who quickly breaks the kid down. The next day the boy is found hanging in his cell. Virgil suspects foul play, and as he investigates, he begins to uncover a multigeneration, multifamily conspiracy--a series of crimes of such monstrosity that even he has difficulty in comprehending it.