LaVail and I just returned from a three-week trip back to the Yucatan to research my third Claire Aguila mystery, Rights of Passage.   Each time we return we find changes in the countryside and especially in the capital city of Merida, where much of the story takes place.

In the third novel, Claire Aguila is back in Merida with her daughter, parents, and, of course, Madge, for a special event (spoiler alert).  Claire is concerned when her friend Ruth does not return from a tour of archaeological sites. When Ruth’s daughter and granddaughter arrive in Merida and file a missing person’s report, and the Mexican Consulate contacts Detective Roberto Salinas of an investigation, Claire’s plans are interrupted.

The search for Ruth begins at the Merida English Library (below)—the local hub for American and Canadian expats and snowbirds in the city—where both Claire and Ruth participated in social events. Then, the 76-year-old woman disappears.

From Merida, the search widens as Claire and her family join Ruth’s family and Mexican authorities in a peninsula-wide search for the wealthy woman. 

The questions to be answered are:

Why didn’t she tell her family about her trip to Mexico? Why did she lie to her son and daughter?Why hasn’t anyone heard from her? Why doesn’t she answer texts and emails?Was her disappearance voluntary or forced?Who is the mysterious man seen with Ruth?Will Claire and Roberto still be together at the end of the story?