SUFFOCATEDA vehicle crammed with dozens of dead Chinese immigrants is found in southern Texas. Forensic pathologist Margaret Campbell must put aside her horror and find out why. SUMMONEDDetective Li Yan–an even more unwelcome memory for Campbell–has arrived stateside to investigate a link in the case to a lucrative trade in illegal laborers. SNAKEHEADLi and Campbell will soon find that the crime scene hides another secret: a biological time bomb linking traffickers, politicians, and migrants in Beijing, Washington, and Texas–posing multiple countries one very singular threat.