When Charlotte police discover the body of a teenage girl along a desolate stretch of highway, Temperance Brennan fears the worst. Tempe must also examine a bundle of Peruvian dog mummies confiscated by U.S. Customs. A Desert Storm veteran stands accused of smuggling the objects into the country. Tempe must also grapple with personal turmoil. Her daughter, Katy, grieving the death of her boyfriend in Afghanistan, impulsively enlists in the army. Katys father, Pete, is growing frustrated by Tempes reluctance to finalize their divorce. As pressure mounts from all corners, Tempe uncovers a conspiracy that extends from South America to Afghanistan to Charlotte.