Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans with full force. In the flooded city, corpses float by as people desperately try to save their belongings. The houses are abandoned, the power is out, and there is no sign of law and order. A deep chasm of distrust separates the white and black populations, while help from the authorities is slow to arrive. Amidst this scenario, Dave Robicheaux is tasked with investigating the rape of a young girl and finding a missing priest. However, he should be much more concerned about the founder of a vigilante group, who is far more dangerous than the many criminals busy looting the city.