The lawless zone has long been dominated by a gang of ruthless truckers who have victimized numerous female backpackers over the years. The protagonist, Donna Vaughn, outwardly appears to be a recent college graduate searching for her sister's remains. In truth, she is a young journalist who became an investigator to uncover the truth behind her sister's death. To find her sister's killer, she goes undercover by hitchhiking and infiltrating the vehicles of suspected criminals.
