NYPD detective Harry Corbin hasn't been allowed to work on a homicide case for almost a year following his unearthing of corruption amongst his colleagues and superiors. So when a young woman's body is found dumped and mutilated on a sweltering New York morning, Corbin jumps at the chance to redeem his career and solve the case - and finds himself on a journey into the dark and secretive world of illegal immigrants, where humans are exploited and life is cheap . . .