In the quiet, sun-baked streets of Rio Seco, Texas, 17-year-old Esmeralda finds her freedom on roller skates in the late 1970s. Her lime green skates are more than just a pastime; they are an extension of her being, a way to navigate a town whose predictable rhythm she feels chafes against her restless spirit. Esme's sharp eye for detail, honed during her solitary rides, allows her to observe the unspoken stories and subtle nuances of her community.

When a palpable sense of disquiet settles over Rio Seco and the town's beloved armadillo mascot, Rex, disappears, Esme's world is turned upside down. The authorities dismiss the disappearance as a prank, but Esme's instincts tell her something more sinister is at play. She begins a covert investigation, following a trail of clues that includes unusual tire tracks, a mysterious raven button, and hushed conversations she overhears while working at the local Sonic Drive-In.

Her pursuit leads her to an unlikely cast of allies, including a reclusive archivist and a grumpy gardener, who help her piece together a chilling narrative. Esme discovers that Rex's disappearance is not random, but part of a calculated plot for public humiliation tied to a years-old town feud. The trail culminates in a thrilling confrontation at an abandoned mill, where she faces down the culprits and recovers the mascot.

Young Adult Coming of Age; Small Town Mystery; Roller Skating Fiction; 1970s; Texas; Female Protagonist; Courage; Community; Small-Town Life; First Love; south texas