Its April 1944 and Ellery Queen has been working for the military making films in Hollywood. Driving through Death Valley on his way home, his car breaks down. Stumbling over a rise in the desert, he encounters an odd man who seems to come from an earlier time, and is and drawn into an isolated religious community in the American southwest. These folks have existed for generations, virtually unknown to the outside world.

Queen finds himself in the position of "investigator," when a murder occurs amongst the flock. Because these pious folks have their own VERY unusual justice system, (which is also a bit rusty from lack of use), the wrong guy might just be getting tagged for this one.