Author of Legend of the Dead, Coyote Returns, The Shadow Catcher, The Dark Canyon, and The Mutes New Mexico State Penitentiary in Santa Fe-a murder. A tormented Benedictine Monk. A new teacher at Las Palmas Middle/High School escaping her past. A Cartel Drug Lord out for vengeance. Sheriff Cliff Lansing meets a mysterious woman who disappears. His only proof she existed-a silver necklace with a turquoise stone called Lagrima de la Madre: Tear of the Mother. What follows is a series of tragedies and death. San Phillipe County is set ablaze as the Owl-the Apache Omen of Death-orchestrates her revenge. To understand what's happening, Lansing must enter the realm of witchcraft and terror.As forces beyond his control converge on the high desert, Lansing-increasingly alone-finds unlikely allies in a desolate canyon.On the steps of an isolated monastery the agents of Good and Evil gather to fight their ultimate battle-as the Raven watches-biding his time.