Assigned to Missing Persons, a rookie detective's first case is about a preacher who ascended into the sky in front of four witnesses. The members of his church think he was translated by God to heaven, the community thinks he's a victim of mysterious Area 51 disappearances, and the police suspect it's a hoax that they can't explain. They hire an unaspiring college graduate to investigate the case, figuring to lay blame on him when it can't be solved. But much to their surprise, he accomplishes alot with the aid of a junior detective, a lab tech, and a graduate student, all who have romantic designs on him.
Dubious Keel is a light-hearted mystery with spiritual undertones. Each of the three women who are interested in him have different religious beliefs that have a bearing on his case. One is an Deist, who discounts the supernatural, one is a devout Christian who believes anything is possible with God, and the third is willing to accept any explanation as long as there is proof.
So he begins with the fact that four people saw a man rise into the sky and disappear. Then he learns from experienced detectives how to interview the witnesses, taking nothing for granted. And finally, he reaches conclusions that satisfy all points of view.