The bodies of seven children are found in the California desert and they are so old that they cannot be identified except for a St. Christopher's medal with the inscription to Benito.

Eventually, a man learns of the inscription and thinks that this might be the body of his little child. He comes to private investigator Wil Hardesty for help.

The man, Ignacio Reyes, tells Wil about how poor their family was and with no money they couldn't pay for anyone to get them over the border from Mexico. Then they heard about a border runner named Bolo Zavala. This man told Reyes that if they let him have Benito, the boy would be placed in a good home in the United States and with the money he received for placing Benito into adoption, he'd take Reyes family over the border.

Wil has a particular desire to help Reyes because Wil also lost a son, who died in a surfing accident.

As the search continues, Wil considers a reason for the killings. He feels that it could have been sexual or some ritual.

The chronicle is filled with the grief of Benito's father. It also relates to Wil and his wife who are discussing having another child and beginning the process of being parents once again. There is also one other character who has a baby who might be the next child killed.

This drama is sad but also gives the reader something to think about. How fortunate we are that there are people who take responsibity to find and stop criminals and killers such as are described in this novel. ( )

Good solid detective story. If parts of the plot don't seem quite so fresh to me, it's most probably that I have read too many Mystery/Detective stories! It did keep me engrossed all the way thrugh it. ( )