When a routine debt collection job turns into a murder investigation in West Africa, British expatriate Bruce Medway finds himself caught in a lethal web of toxic waste scams and criminal syndicates. Medway, a cynical troubleshooter operating in the port city of Cotonou, is hired by the daughter of a murdered client to uncover the truth behind a missing fortune. He must navigate a landscape of shifting loyalties and hidden motives while contending with the seductive, vengeful Selina. The narrative, presented through a gritty, hardboiled lens, forces Medway to confront the reality that in this environment, survival often requires compromising one's own moral code.

Critics have noted that Robert P. Wilson successfully captures the essence of the hardboiled genre by placing a deeply human, flawed protagonist in a vivid and challenging setting. The character of Bruce Medway is frequently compared to iconic figures like Philip Marlowe, praised for his self-awareness and reluctance in the face of danger. While the atmospheric writing and character development receive high marks, some readers find the intricate plot occasionally veers into territory that is difficult to follow. Ultimately, the novel is regarded as a solid entry in the series that effectively utilizes its West African backdrop to heighten the tension of its crime-focused narrative.