Harry Maxwell is a 47-year-old career detective who is reaching the end of his service when he is seconded to Papua New Guinea. After a few months in the highlands of that country, dealing with tribal murders, rapes and robberies, he is transferred to Port Moresby with other ex-pats to devise and deliver detective training. However, almost immediately, he is sent back to the highlands to investigate PNG's first armed robbery and additionally, possible police corruption and rumours of heroin production.
The investigation is fast-moving but complicated by the impending arrival of his girlfriend from the UK. Ably assisted by national detectives, the action moves to remote jungle areas of the country as well as desert islands in the South Pacific, where he is chased by criminal gangs that might be headed by a Nazi from World War II. It escalates to a new level, moving to Orpheus Island, then Sydney, and reaches an apparent nemesis in Hong Kong.
Harry seems to court trouble.