When a routine debt collection job turns into a homicide investigation, private investigator Bruce Medway finds himself entangled in a lethal web of international crime in West Africa. Medway, a British expatriate working as a troubleshooter in Cotonou, Benin, must navigate a landscape defined by corruption and shifting loyalties. After his client is murdered, the man's daughter, Selina Aguia, recruits Medway to uncover the truth behind the killing. The narrative, presented through a gritty, hardboiled lens, forces Medway to confront his own moral boundaries while balancing the demands of a local mafia capo and the dangerous allure of his new employer.

Critics have noted that the novel succeeds primarily through its vivid sense of place and the depth of its protagonist. While some reviewers have pointed out that the plot occasionally becomes overly labyrinthine to the point of confusion, the writing remains consistently elegant. The characterization of Bruce Medway is frequently compared to classic hardboiled archetypes, grounding the story in a familiar but refreshed tradition. Ultimately, the work is regarded as a compelling look at the intersection of greed and power in an unfamiliar setting, anchored by a protagonist who feels deeply human despite his flaws.