It all comes to a head... In a quiet roadside ditch in Eda County, South Dakota, prairie roses have sprung up along with constructions cones - and a fractured old skull. Settling into her first year as elected sheriff, Karen Okerlund Mehaffey wants nothing more than a quiet little murder with no press, no mess, while she tackles the more difficult question of whether to purchase a new official vehicle or hire a new deputy. Her detective-uncle, Marek Okerlund, has his own hands full with an unexpectedly recalcitrant daughter. School is almost out... but the last day comes sooner for some, as girls go missing, one by one. As the old case and the new intertwine, with twists that turn frighteningly personal, Karen and Marek rush to unravel the skull's past to save the girls' future. DEAD HEAD is a character-driven police procedural. Eighth in series. Word 96,000. Occasional profanity. Minimal gore.