Former Korean War POW Hackberry Holland is Sheriff of a broken-down border town in south Texas. When the bodies of nine Asian prostitutes are found executed and buried behind a run-down church, they represent not just a bizarrely complex mystery, but also a test of his ability to face down the forces of evil. Hackberry discovers a web of corruption and violence, and right at the centre a Biblically-inspired hit-man known as the Preacher. With his soul and body still tormented by his experience of captivity, is Hackberry a match for a deranged killer who believes God is on his side?