The discovery of a bloodied suitcoat in the Congo River sends a young man on an adventure of murder and intrigue. Set in Africa in the turbulent year of 1966, the thriller tells the story of Pete, one of President Mobutu's guards. He makes a discovery in the Congo River near his home which forces the young man to flee the capital city of Kinshasa. Pursued into the interior by Chinese assassins, he is injured in a catastrophic truck accident. Celeste, a nurse serving in the hospital, not only cares for him but steals his heart. Their journey across a country called the Heart of Africa forces them to learn about their people, traditions and how to solve a mystery which means life or death.