In 1929 New Mexico, Prudence Bates joins ten other Detourists, their Courier, and driver, on the three-day Fred Harvey Indian Detour from Las Vegas through Santa Fe, where they stay at the La Fonda Inn, to Albuquerque and the Alvarado Hotel. Along the way, they stop at ancient Native American ruins, colorful New Mexican villages, and Native Pueblos where the Detourists purchase handmade pottery and jewelry. Small, valuable items belonging to the Detourists begin disappearing and retired Australian school teacher Agnes falls into a kiva. Or was she pushed? What is the reason for her sudden breathlessness and nausea? Prudence begins to suspect that someone is trying to kill Agnes and wonders where Kansas City flapper and manicurist Flora disappears to at every stop. Is La Llorona haunting the Detour? What secrets are the two German men hiding? Prudence is determined to solve the mysteries and uncover the truth.