Closter's Branch: The Tribulation of Juan Ortiz, Book 1 (Unabridged‪)‬

White cracking heat. Ravenous animals that stalk the night. Talons that render flesh from bone.

The desert is a hard and unforgiving place. When children get lost out there, they don't come back. The town of Closter's Branch knows that fact better than most.

Abraham Stone has spent the last ten years of his long life as Sheriff of the dusty town of Closter's Branch. It's an easy job. The townsfolk are peaceful. Everything seems normal on the surface of things, but Abe can't shake the feeling that something is not right. He's been having nightmares. Visions. The desert makes perilous living for everyone, but the more empty coffins they bury the more Abraham wonders if his visions are true. Something sinister is stalking the desert.

Aided by his deputy, the Sheriff works to uncover why the town keeps losing their children. The lawmen's search for answers sets a series of events into motion that will shatter families and bring the town of Closter's Branch to its knees.