A terrible secret is hidden somewhere in the brush-covered hills of Johnson Ranch, one of the largest remaining undeveloped parcels of land in Los Angeles. Angst-ridden County Supervisor Scott Donovan-struggling with an early mid-life crisis and a prolonged estrangement from the woman he loves suddenly falls into a dangerous political controversy, inexorably leading him to uncover the mysteries of the ranch. Coveted by developers for its profit potential, by environmentalists for its sloping hills rich in wildlife, and by political leaders for its capacity to accommodate economic expansion-Johnson Ranch becomes a critical battleground in the ongoing war between powerful business advocates and staunch anti-growth activists seeking to shape the future of the Los Angeles megalopolis.
The story begins when Earl Johnson, patriarch of the eponymous ranch, passes away, setting off a frenzied fight over his estate. Ambitious developers swoop in and local leaders jockey for political advantage. An adulterous city planner, the planner's cuckolded husband, and Supervisor Scott Donovan are soon intertwined by frayed threads of secrets and lies, culminating in a deadly landslide of greed, lust, politics and murder.
