A blind veteran finds his structured world of Morse code disrupted when he becomes entangled in a dangerous criminal enterprise. Howard, an ex-RAF man who navigates his reality through the rhythmic patterns of Morse code, finds his life with his wife, Laura, upended by the arrival of a man named Richard. This new alliance pulls Howard into a high-stakes heroin heist, forcing him to abandon his domestic stability. The narrative follows his descent into a criminal underworld as he pursues a mysterious woman whose voice has captivated him, leading to a perilous sea voyage that tests his sensory perception and moral boundaries.

This work reflects the author's characteristic focus on the grit of the British working class and the complexities of moral ambiguity. The narrative structure relies heavily on the protagonist's sensory limitations to build tension, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that mirrors his internal state. Readers often note the stark contrast between the domestic opening and the sudden shift into a criminal underworld, which highlights the fragility of Howard's ordered existence. The prose style remains sharp and unsentimental, typical of the author's later career, providing a clinical look at the consequences of obsession and treachery.