Maria Olson can see beauty in everything, even discarded junk. The striking 31-year-old with black hair and brilliant blue eyes lives alone in her family's centuries-old adobe home in Old Town, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Although she has a successful online business selling repurposed items, Maria leaps to a brick-and-mortar store by leasing a turquoise boxcar in "Out of the Box", the new trendy shopping area made of shipping containers. Despite assurances from friends and customers that her inventory will sell well, she worries about the financial commitment of her new shop, "Upcycled."

In the week before the new shopping center opens, Maria gets to know the other business owners in "Out of the Box;" The quirky bookstore owner, the cranky owner of the antique store, friendly bakery boys, and a snobby coffee shop barista. But the most interesting tenants are the handsome brothers, Joey and Jett, who run Rusty Railroad Brewery.

Maria buys four old books to use in making clocks and book safes, but that night she stumbles, literally, over her newly purchased books lying next to her shop. Even more bizarre, the books are clutched in a dead man's hand!

How did he die? Why does he have Maria's books? Could she be in danger? And will the news of his death put a damper on opening day?

Maria and her goofy and pregnant best friend, Jill, try to find the answers. They deal with an aggravating detective, a sleazy landlord, and unusual and dangerous situations. In the meantime, they find a disgusting but wonderful surprise at the junkyard.