The titles, such as A Fountain Filled with Blood and All Mortal Flesh, often come from hymns or the Bible, and for good reason. Clare Ferguson is an Episcopal priest in the town of Millers Kill, while Russ Van Alstyne is the police chief. In previous novels, Russ and Clare are clearly drawn to each other, but because he is married, they manage to keep their relationship proper. His wife's tragic death at the end of the previous novel leaves both Russ and Clare feeling guilty and doing their best to avoid each other as this novel begins.
Then comes a series of murders of illegal aliens, one body found on a dairy farm owned by members of the chief's own family. It turns out that they, like other farmers in the area, have been hiring illegals to save money, and kind-hearted Clare is among those trying to keep this fact a secret from Russ. The murders reveal the secret, but also serve to draw Russ and Clare back together. And once talking to each other again, they have great trouble keeping their hands off each other.
Two other love stories also percolate throughout the novel. One involves an alien worker and the sister of the prime suspects in the murder case. The other involves a young hotshot police officer and an older woman, the mother of two, who becomes a police officer only because it pays better than any other job opportunity.
The tension, sexual and otherwise, escalates throughout the novel, which despite a few false notes remains entertaining throughout.
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