In 1960s Britain, Joseph Tremaine Ellington is a Barbadian ex-policeman who has come to make a new life. Facing prejudice at every turn, Ellington struggles to get by until he is contacted by countryman Earl Linney, who has made good in the white man's world. Earl needs help in finding a young West Indian woman who has disappeared, and asks Ellington to track her down. With few allies other than his not-so-honest cousin, Victor, Ellington has to keep his wits about him, because danger lurks around every corner.