When a woman is robbed at a Cape Cod beach she gives the gunman all her money along with a small drawstring bag, eliciting a promise that he use what is contained inside. Filled with guilt, the man returns home and opens the bag to find a sandalwood necklace with scrolled instructions. "This japa mala holds ancient and powerful Sanskrit energy used to manifest miracles ... Once your intention has been realized you will pass this sacred energy to the next person in need ..." And so begins the journey of The Mala Beads, the characters' lives intertwining with the passing of the beads.

The people the beads touch are diverse, each story unfolding intimately and culturally.

- A young woman dealing with gender dysphoria.

- A Native American couple trying to save their horse ranch from a devastating wildfire.

- An alcoholic mother whose fear of losing her children overrides her need for help.

- A Russian immigrant restarting his life in Canada after the mother of his two children dies of an overdose in his homeland - and many more.