McClure weaves an intriguing mystery while bringing the Santa Cruz Mountains to life. The story centers on Jack Bryce, an honest and hardworking family man who is a contracted Project Manager. In Ups and Downs, Bryce is hired to rebuild a theater in an amusement park, which was destroyed by a tragic roller coaster crash. As Bryce works to rebuild the theater in time for the Park

Part-time Construction Project Manager, Jack Bryce, takes on the role of re-constructing a once very famous restaurant and hotel, located in the city of Lahaina, on the island of Maui. There, away from his family and friends, Jack becomes entwined in the power struggle of one of Hawaii's most well-known and influential families, who themselves have internal problems, and local unions corrupted by their mob member leaders who had seized control decades before. As Jack works to rebuild The Onion Express, the path is filled with murder, mystery and several surprises.