Joan Wilder is a lonely New York romance novelist who receives a treasure map mailed to her by her recently-murdered brother-in-law. On her way to Cartagena, Colombia Joan ends up in the jungle but is saved by American bird exporter Jack T. Colton. For getting her to Cartagena, Joan promises to pay Jack $375.

Joan Wilder and her partner Jack become caught up in political intrigue, mysticism, sabotage, kidnapping, and other perils as Joan interviews an African leader and Jack searches for the Jewel of the Nile