This is a disturbing tale focusing on the ritual murder of twelve year old Neo Kakang in a Botswana village in 1994. The case is quickly closed by the local police, who tell Neo's mother and the villagers that the girl has been eaten by wild animals. This conclusion is greeted with scepticism but with evidence missing and every avenue of inquiry closed, Neo's death seems destined to remain unsolved.

Five years later, government employee Amantle Bokaa resurrects the matter when she finds a box with Neo's name and case number during some routine cleaning. With feelings running high and the villagers still demanding the truth, Amantle begins a crusade to find out what happened, enlisting the help of some of her own lawyer friends.

This novel gives an excellent picture of corruption and the fear it can engender when existing in positions of power. Characters are skillfully drawn, with emotions sensitively depicted. The police come across as convincingly fearful and pathetic figures while the anguish and anger of the bereaved are conveyed without excessive verbal description.

The story is related through a number of viewpoints, with quite a lot told in flashback, a method causing digressions from the main plot. While the relevance of some of this was apparent, other information imparted was strictly background and the plot would not have suffered by its omission. The novel held a large number of characters, some of whom seemed to be just 'passing through'. A more in-depth focus on the main players might have been more satisfactory, resulting in a tighter, tenser structure.

Unity Dow has created a chilling, interesting narrative, never losing sight of the horror of the ritual murder. She keeps us reading, even if we're afraid of what we'll learn.