Gin Prettifield, who is part Indian, knows northern New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains. But she's never had to deal with an enraged bear or with the mangled body of a dying man. But when she leads a forest ranger to the scene, they come upon a mystery in this land of enchanted mesas and mountains. Can the dead walk? Is a murder, by an act of magic, daring Gin to unearth a crime? Only the Indians, who have witnessed many curious comings and goings on their ancient earth, understand the gathering confrontation between good and evil, terror and love -- a confrontation that can only end in the chill finality of death.