When a killer that McQuaid put away years ago busts out of prison and heads for Pecan Springs, McQuaid knows there's only one way to stop the vengeful convict—set a trap with himself as bait. In her 25th outing (after Blood Orange), China Bayles wants to stay by her husband's side, but McQuaid insists that she go to the Last Chance Olive Ranch, where she's teaching a workshop on herbs. Arriving at the ranch, she learns the owner, Maddie Haskell, inherited the business from the late matriarch, Eliza Butler, but Eliza's nephew is contesting the will. While China helps Maddie, McQuaid's plan backfires, and now both of their lives are in danger.