Two isolated populations exist in this futuristic world, the Skanians who are large, strong and cold-loving, live on the mainland of Jarovegur. The Santuarians inhabit an arid island, Santuario, in the South Sea. The Skanians have a government, and adequate living conditions, the Santuarians...not so much. 
 A dead body is discovered on the Santario shore, and Teniente (Officer) Alex Rukow of the Policia is given the assignment to investigate. His report brings out Bengt, a Skanian investigator, from the mainland. Alex is fighting to stay under the radar of the local military--the Securitas--who, despite the name, only maintain the security of the powerful familias on Santuario. Luis, leader of the local Securitas is Alex's biological father, though Alex maintains as great a distance as he can--to avoid beat downs. 
 Bengt is not only overwhelmed by the heat on Santuario, but the culture is not at all what he excepted. Skanians thrive on connection and order, and everywhere he goes, he sees poverty and desolation. Alex, his guide, is nothing but a close-mouthed valet--at first. As Bengt watches the interactions, and witnesses the fallout of Alex crossing Securitas dictates, Bengt learns that working covertly is really the only option if Alex plans to stay alive. 
 Unfortunately, the first body found is not the last, and both Alex and Bengt are drawn into a growing political movement against the despotic familias of Santuario. Alex, himself, is frustrated--not only by his case, but by the strange connection he feels developing between himself and Bengt. Gay is nothing good to be in Santuario, even if Bengt notes that he not only is gay, but is proudly gay in Jarovegur where sexuality is not an issue at all. 
 Expect cultural miscommunication, tense lines of communication, beatings, killings, and attempted murder of a Teniente. The resolution to the case was well described, and Alex and Bengt come to more than an agreement regarding their connection. The book ends with a resolution, but it's more HFN than HEA. I enjoyed the world-building here, and felt I was able to get invested due to my own Spanish education, but for people who know no Spanish this may be a tougher read. 
 Not much heat here. Okay, Santuario the place is sweltering, but Santuario the book is more a sex-behind-closed-doors read. The big scene comes very late and had only minimal physical descriptions. I wanted to "see" Bengt give Alex a good ride... ;) 
 Still, I'm intrigued enough to get the next book in the series. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.