The California desert hasn't changed, but everything else in Blue McCarron's life is about to. After the inevitable break-up with partner Roxie in Philadelphia, Blue drags herself home—to the tumbleweeds, sidewinders, and emptiness.

A part-time job teaching Social Psychology at a private university in nearby San Diego provides at least the appearance of a life. But when Lupe, an unfriendly colleague invites her to a Mexican rock concert, everything in Blue's life begins to shift. And when the gorgeous rock star is kidnapped and the campus is blanketed with flyers calling for the death of a young, gay Spanish professor, Blue finds herself in the middle of a brand new mystery—who is behind the paper threats?

Fighting a growing and inappropriate attraction to the just-divorced Lupe, Blue searches for the culprit amid oddball board members, rancorous academics, and obscure Latin American politics. And when the threat lands at Lupe's doorstep, Blue is left with only her instinct to stop it.