A DIY television host is forced into a Wyoming vacation where her unconventional skills help solve a murder tied to local land history.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Mandatory Getaway
Prudence Macintyre is interrupted during a studio recording and forced by her boss to take a company jet to Wyoming for a week of rest. Upon arrival, she is greeted by Ruth, who guides her through the airport and toward the lodge.
Key Events
Plant Watering Tip Recording — Pru records a DIY segment on self-watering plants. Location: Studio
Boss's Mandatory Vacation Order — Boss interrupts recording to force Pru to fly to Wyoming for rest. Location: Studio
Airport Arrival & Local Greeting — Ruth meets Pru at the airport to guide her to the lodge. Characters: Ruth VigilLocation: Airport
Sacred Ground Tour — Ruth shows Pru the preserved indigenous land and lodge location. Characters: Ruth VigilLocation: Sacred Ground
Company Jet Departure — Pru boards the company jet to Wyoming as ordered by her boss. Location: Airport
Land Secrets & New Arrivals
Ruth reveals the lodge sits on sacred indigenous land preserved by the Andrews family and discusses plans to commemorate Bart Andrews' death. Jean Phillipe Andrews arrives with his lawyer Doug Craig, introducing Pru to the local legal and historical landscape.
Key Events
Sacred Ground Tour — Ruth shows Pru the preserved indigenous land and lodge location. Characters: Ruth VigilLocation: Sacred Ground
Lodge History Revelation — Ruth explains the lodge sits on the last remnant of Indian land preserved by the Andrews family. Characters: Ruth VigilLocation: Lodge Grounds
Bart Andrews Memorial Discussion — Ruth discusses plans to commemorate Bart Andrews' death and his work. Characters: Ruth VigilLocation: Lodge Area
Jean Phillipe's Arrival — Bart's son arrives accompanied by the family's land trust lawyer. Characters: Jean Phillipe Andrews, Doug CraigLocation: Lodge Entrance
Legal & Land Trust Introduction — Doug Craig provides crucial information about the land's history to Pru. Characters: Jean Phillipe Andrews, Doug CraigLocation: Lodge
Murder Investigation Begins — Pru and her assistant Nigel get involved in a local murder investigation. Location: Lodge
Lodge Interior Exploration — Pru explores the lodge's interior while learning about its history. Characters: Ruth VigilLocation: Lodge Interior
DIY Detective Work
Pru and her assistant Nigel become entangled in a murder investigation. Her unconventional household tips and forensic-style methods clash with lead officer Jamey Sheridan, creating tension but also uncovering vital clues.
Key Events
Murder Investigation Begins — Pru and her assistant Nigel get involved in a local murder investigation. Location: Lodge
Household Tips vs Police Protocol — Pru's helpful tips irk the lead officer, highlighting their clashing methods. Location: Crime Scene
Forensic Skill Application — Pru applies her unique forensic-type skills to analyze evidence. Location: Lodge
Clue Connection to Land History — Pru connects clues to the Andrews family's preserved territory. Characters: Doug CraigLocation: Archive
Suspect Interrogation — Sheridan questions suspects while Pru observes and assists. Location: Lodge
Nigel's Field Assistance — Nigel assists Pru in gathering physical evidence at the scene. Location: Lodge Grounds
Pru connects the evidence to the land's history and the Andrews family legacy. The team confronts the culprit, successfully solving the case, which allows the memorial preparations to proceed peacefully.
Key Events
Suspect Interrogation — Sheridan questions suspects while Pru observes and assists. Location: Lodge
Motive Revelation — The murder motive ties back to land rights and family secrets. Characters: Jean Phillipe AndrewsLocation: Lodge
Confrontation with Culprit — The team confronts the murderer with gathered evidence. Location: Lodge
Case Solved — Pru's forensic skills successfully solve the murder case. Location: Lodge
Memorial Ceremony Preparation — Plans to commemorate Bart Andrews move forward after the case closes. Characters: Ruth Vigil, Jean Phillipe AndrewsLocation: Sacred Ground
Pru's Return to Normalcy — Pru returns to her TV show, enriched by her Wyoming experience. Location: Studio
Story Breakdown
Studio Departure — Pru's routine life is disrupted by her boss's mandatory vacation order.
Plant Tip Recording — Pru demonstrates a self-watering plant hack in the studio.
Mandatory Vacation Order — Boss interrupts filming to force Pru to fly to Wyoming.
Wyoming Arrival — Pru lands in Wyoming and is immediately guided by a local host.
Airport Greeting — Ruth meets Pru and begins the tour to the lodge.
Sacred Ground Tour — Ruth shows Pru the preserved indigenous territory.
Land & Legacy — The historical significance of the lodge and the Andrews family is revealed.
Bart Memorial Plans — Ruth organizes commemoration for Bart Andrews' death.
Andrews Family History — Doug Craig explains the land trust and preservation efforts.
Investigation Launch — A murder investigation pulls Pru and Nigel into local affairs.
Murder Discovery — Pru and Nigel become involved in the case.
Assistant Partnership — Nigel assists Pru in gathering initial evidence.
Method Clash — Pru's DIY approach conflicts with traditional police procedures.
DIY Tips vs Protocol — Pru's helpful tricks irk lead officer Jamey Sheridan.
Forensic Breakthrough — Pru applies unique skills to connect clues with local history.
Evidence Analysis — Pru uses forensic-type methods to examine the scene.
Motive Revelation — Clues tie the murder to land rights and family secrets.
Case Resolution — The investigation concludes, restoring peace to the lodge.
Culprit Confrontation — The team confronts the murderer with solid evidence.
Memorial Completion — Bart Andrews' memorial proceeds successfully after the case closes.
Prudence MacIntyre, the 'New York home tips' TV show presenter, is sent on holiday, by studio boss Jeffrey Symcox, to a secluded lodge in Tassajero, Wyoming. The lodge was built on the last remnant of Indian land preserved by the Andrews family. Her celebrity status and sassy charm help her quickly get acquainted with local notables, including French heir Jean Phillipe Andrews, his land trust lawyer Doug Craig and police detective Eddie Duncan. Pru is with lodge caretaker Ruth Vigil when she discovers her estranged son JR is missing from his home after leaving a message. Pru finds blood, and although it's not JR's, insists he must have been murdered. After her research assistant, a computer whiz with a minor criminal record, joins her, they soon get in danger snooping ahead of the incredulous authorities to discover several linked crimes.