Looks can be deceiving on American Samoa, a lush tropical hideaway that masks a fierce warrior spirit. No one knows this better than Apelu Soifua, the Samoan-born, American-bred police officer who lives on a knife?s edge, charged with keeping the peace between native and new in the heart of paradise. When a routine patrol on a remote jungle estate uncovers an interisland smuggling ring, it doesn?t take long for Apelu to realize there?s more than just cigarettes and bootleg CDs at stake. Someone is trafficking humans - and they won?t hesitate to set up a cop to take the fall. Now framed for murder, Apelu is forced into hiding and relentlessly pursued by police as he races to uncover the truth. His only ally is an enigmatic American widow who is anything but what she seems. He?s playing with fire - but can he unmask a killer before he gets burned?