When Jessica Gilbert, a US Army JAG Corps major, deploys to Iraq in early 2006, she is excited to help rebuild the rule of law there. But soon the disturbing allegation that an infamous Army colonel cut the ears from dead Iraqi fighters as bloody war trophies captures her focus. Her investigation quickly morphs into a murder inquiry when she uncovers gruesome photographs revealing that the fighters were brutally executed on the battlefield.

In her quest to uncover the truth of what happened and why, she wrestles with the disparity in treatment of decision-makers versus trigger-pullers. Besides figuring out who committed this atrocity and their motives, she must fight to make sure everyone involved-from the top down-is held responsible.