It's early October 1923, and three interesting things are going on in the generally dull town of Rosedale, New Mexico: the fall cattle drive, the fall rodeo, and a tent revival.

Annabelle Blue is excited about the first two events. The last one might be okay if it weren't for the Reverend Milo Strickland's sister, Esther, whose ethereal loveliness has captivated all the men in town, including Annabelle's long-time beau, Phil Gunderson.

In spite of this, Annabelle pitches in and helps prepare for the rodeo, which is always accompanied by a community-wide party and barbecue. This year's rodeo and barbecue are being held at the Gundersons' ranch, about twelve miles west of Rosedale.

Although Phil seems to hang around with Esther a lot more than Annabelle deems proper, she enjoys the rodeo with her best friend, Myrtle Howell-until one of the stars of the rodeo, Kenny Sawyer, falls ill and later dies.

Shocked to learn that Kenny was poisoned, Annabelle begins to do some snooping. There are a plethora of suspects to choose from. Unfortunately, those suspects include her own brother-in-law, who appears to be enamored of a woman other than Annabelle's sister; Kenny Sawyer's erstwhile lady love; the husband of her brother-in-law's assumed lover; and even Annabelle's horrid twelve-year-old brother, Jack.

When Hazel Fish, the worst gossip in Rosedale, is killed after Annabelle gives in to her friend Myrtle's wheedling and goes to a revival meeting, life in Rosedale becomes downright frightening.