A private investigator is hired to recover the stolen remains of a Navajo leader, pulling him into a decades-old murder mystery that refuses to stay buried. Joshua Croft, a Santa Fe-based investigator, accepts a commission from a mysterious Navajo client to locate bones missing for over sixty years. His investigation forces him to navigate the complex cultural landscape of the American Southwest while contending with individuals who prefer the past to remain undisturbed. The narrative follows a traditional detective framework, utilizing a linear progression as Croft tracks leads across New Mexico and Texas to uncover the truth behind a long-forgotten homicide.

This work is recognized for its effective use of regional atmosphere and its ability to balance a traditional mystery structure with sensitive cultural subject matter. Critics have noted the author's skill in characterization and the brisk, efficient pacing that keeps the investigation moving through the varied landscapes of the Southwest. The narrative is often praised for its grounded approach to the private investigator genre, avoiding unnecessary melodrama in favor of a steady, logical progression of clues. Readers typically appreciate the way the book highlights the lingering impact of historical events on contemporary communities, providing a depth that elevates the standard detective procedural.