A human hand is unearthed at the property of Hank Turner, a local farmer in Jerseyville, Ohio, where Emmy Budd and her adventurous friend T.J. Blake, live. Hank Turner, a good friend of Emmy and T.J.'s, is under suspicion for murder and mutilations of a hired man whom he threatened and fired several weeks earlier. A developer and a newcomer has purchased the Turner farm with plans to turn it into a roadside tavern. Emmy and T.J. keep their ears to the ground as they pretend to help out while gathering information on the proposed tavern. When Emmy discovers a sudden appearance of animal bones in the excavation of the Turner farm after a torrential rain, the game is afoot and Emmy and T.J. set off to uncover the truth. Along the way, the tween detectives are joined by a scruffy stray dog appearing at strange times and strange places, whom T.J. names Harry. Harry tags along with the kids on their many trips to the 'gravesite,' leading Emmy and T.J. to a nefarious secret. Together, the three sleuths struggle to save the town, and Hank Turner, from a greedy opportunist.
