Reformed alcoholic, ageing hippy, victim of a dysfunctional marriage, British private eye Chris Shovelin answers a call for help from the other side of the world. Arriving in San Diego he discovers Jefferson, the friend in need, lying on the floor of his apartment with a hole in his head. Shovelin's instinct is to run, but China Heart, chic and mega-rich, wants him to take over where Jefferson failed and find Jerry Lennox, her missing brother. From a dude ranch in the desert to Los Angeles and San Francisco the chase is on. But who is being hunted - Shovelin or Lennox? Catastrophic air crashes, extortion, drugs and murder all play their part in bringing about a tumultuous climax which makes Waco seem like a fireworks party.