Years ago V I Warshawski's Aunt Rosa treated the detective's beloved mother in an unforgiveable way. Now, after she's accused of stealing $3 million from the Dominican priory where she works, Rosa calls upon the ties of blood to clear her name. V I is not prepared to forgive so easily. She doesn't want the case. Until suddenly no one else -- the FBI, a threatening phone caller, and even Aunt Rosa herself -- appears to want her on the case either. V I turns to an old friend for help. But the stakes are higher than she could have realised ...