The Republic of Texas is the place; the time is the 1840s, where Texas Ranger Jim Reade investigates mysterious deaths and disappearances, with the aid of his friend and blood-brother, the Delaware scout, Toby Shaw. In this sequel to Lone Star Sons, Jim and Toby also look into the matter of a strange creature, stalking and killing in the Borderlands, guide three scientific experts from Germany on their exploration of Texas, and search for the missing captain of a US Army exploring party, lost in the Southwest