by Kem Nunn
First published 1987
Obadiah Wheeler stands before his missionary group, tasked with leading them into Nevada's unassigned territory for evangelical work. His own faith wavers, making him an unlikely spiritual guide. Everything changes when he meets Delandra Hummer, the dark-haired co-owner of a desert museum. She possesses what she claims is an alien artifact, and she needs someone to help her find a buyer. Obadiah abandons his religious duties to join her quest across the Mojave Desert. Their journey attracts strange companions and dangerous encounters. UFO believers, violent locals, and burned-out former hippies cross their path as they search for someone willing to pay for extraterrestrial evidence. The desert strips away pretense and safety, forcing both travelers to confront what they truly believe. Obadiah must choose between the faith he was supposed to preach and the chaotic possibilities that Delandra represents.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, mystery, contemporary, thriller, alternate-universe
Vibes: atmospheric, fast-paced, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Mojave Desert, Nevada
Period: Contemporary
305 pages · Hardcover · Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group