Tom Cooper, a sociology teacher from Colorado, suffers a midlife crisis. To repair himself, he takes a ride through Nevada to visit his sister in California during his summer vacation. On the way, he gets stranded in the tiny community of Chaufant. He is befriended by Andy Caldwell and other residents who seem especially kind to him but he learns that some of the people are practicing cannibalism. Although Tom is shocked by this revelation, his curiosity gets the best of him and he stays in Chaufant to learn more about these people. On the surface they seem normal and friendly, but underneath they are complex and addicted to occasionally eating dead people. His sabbatical takes him on an emotional journey of discovery. A treasure is found and a romance germinates. Through tragedy and a philosophic odyssey Tom, his new friend Andy, and the community of Chaufant, find peace before the summer ends.