Two years ago, a car wreck killed geologist Adam Mackenzie’s wife and injured his teenage daughter, Patricia. Now, sent to an ancient Yucatan crater to monitor the drilling of a new oil well, Adam brings Patty along in the hopes of reconnecting; but mysterious forces are afoot, and they have different plans. Angered by the invasive drilling, some local Maya have decided that, in ancient sacred tradition, Patty is the ideal candidate for sacrifice to their ancient god Chaak. And visiting Canadian astrobiologist Rosalynn Ramsay adds all sorts of new complications for the smitten Adam.

But when the drilling reaches the buried crater, something more complex—and more dangerous—than organic molecules, disgruntled locals and unexpected romance surfaces, threatening everyone.

Deathgod is the chilling account of a man of science forced to choose between family and career as he races to protect his daughter against an inexplicable ancient power.