The surf is rough, the mezcal is strong, the animals are wild . . .
but not as wild as the people.

For Annabel Ross, a five-day assignment to write about the trendy Mexican seaside village of Palito sounds like a relaxing gig. And it is, until a sudden and mysterious death sends shockwaves through the peace.

Her job has her scoping out the village highlights and interviewing eccentric expat residents, nomadic surfers, and overlooked locals. But clever, curious Annabel begins to piece together the bewildering mix of rumor, gossip, and undercurrent that just might lead her to a killer.

Or might lead a killer to her.