A skydiving student on spring break appears to have drowned in midair - a case strange enough to convince Monk to travel to Mexico to investigate. While there, he must deal with a myriad of phobias, the theft of his luggage, the shortage of his favorite brand of bottled water, and apparent attempts on his life, all while trying to unravel one or more murders that are not what they seem.

When a ringmaster is murdered by an acrobat in a crowded restaurant, Monk suspects his ex wife is responsible. But with her foot broken and in a cast, how could she have done it?