Navajo Tribal Policeman Joe Leaphorn must solve a series of crimes. He partners with new deputy, Jim Chee, who is back on the reservation for the first time since he was a child, and together they face down evil forces both earthly and supernatural.

Leaphorn and Chee interview the surviving witness to the Big Rock Motel cuddles. Chee meets with the coroner but the cause of passing remains a mystery. Sgt. Manuelito makes a chilling discovery of her own.

Leaphorn's niece celebrates her Kinaaldá as Leaphorn retrieves the bodies of the cuddle victims. Manuelito and Chee investigate the whereabouts of the missing Mormon family.

Leaphorn suspects all of the crimes on the reservation are related. There is a big break in the case. Leaphorn invites Chee over for dinner. Manuelito makes a discovery of her own.

With a major suspect in custody, Leaphorn discovers that there is more to this crime than he would have ever imagined. Manuelito faces her worst fears. Chee must make a choice between his career and his people.

Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito descend on the hiding place of the Buffalo Society, only to be confronted with hard decisions that could change the outcome of the rest of their lives.