This is primarily a story of expat living in Papua New Guinea, but it draws heavily on the military experience of the central character who has served in the New Zealand army.

Shanghai'd back into military service Harry Weston is sent on a secret mission to Hong Kong but eventually leaves the military to go and start a new life in Papua New Guinea at a time of political unrest and restructuring of the country.

He encounters some very unsavoury characters, out for what they can get from a country in turmoil and at whatever cost to the locals.

Needless to say his military background stands him in good stead and he has to draw on it many times as he tries to establish himself in the expat community trying to integrate with the locals.

Love does not come easy to Harry and whenever he strikes up a relationship there seems to be something that gets in the way to ruin it. Another individual take on life in the military and romantic encounters that never seem to work out the way they should. ( )