Buried prey

While this is the twenty-first installment in the series, it functions as a unique entry because it features an extended flashback to 1985 that explores the early career of the protagonist. New readers can follow the narrative without prior familiarity with the series, as the structure provides a self-contained look at a formative case in the character's history.

The narrative is divided between two distinct timelines, alternating between the original 1985 investigation and the present-day discovery of the remains. This dual-timeline approach allows the reader to witness the protagonist's development from a reckless young officer into the seasoned investigator seen in later books.