As the world-renowned author Eli Gold lies dying in a New York hospital, a disparate group of individuals connected to his past and present converge, setting the stage for a collision of secrets and long-held grievances. The narrative follows the perspectives of his young daughter, his anxious middle-aged son, his elderly first wife, and a vengeful brother-in-law, all of whom are forced to confront the legacy of a man who has lived a life defined by excess and manipulation. The story operates as a multi-perspective examination of the protagonist's final moments, utilizing a shifting narrative framework to expose the contradictions of his public persona versus his private reality. The characters must navigate their own personal histories with Eli while dealing with the immediate, high-stakes tension of his impending death and the dark secrets surrounding a past suicide pact.

This novel is characterized by its blend of sharp, observational humor and a darker, more cynical exploration of human frailty. The narrative structure suggests a focus on the dissonance between public perception and private reality, common in Baddiel's work. The premise points to a story that balances the tension of a thriller with the introspective qualities of a character study. Readers likely find the shifting viewpoints provide a comprehensive, albeit fragmented, portrait of the central figure's complicated life and influence.