Texas 1883: A man found face down in a fire ants’ mound has been raped and brutally murdered. His killing sparks a nightmare for Sheriff Caleb Sawyer and the townspeople of Mule’s Ass, named after the last thing the founder looked at before setting up camp. Aided by the enigmatic Preacher Spindrift, Sawyer must solve the murder to defeat the hideous Sha-aneer, an ancient creature that devours the flesh and souls of humanity, or the light of human civilisation will be extinguished forever.