Navigating the Darwin Straits reintroduces some of the characters from Edith Forbes's Alma Rose, most notably Jordy McNeil. Growing up in a small western town with a lesbian mom presents challenges Jordy would rather avoid. As soon as he can, he makes an escape, landing in the San Francisco Bay Area where he joins Ultimall, an Internet startup company. As his fortunes rise and fall with Ultimall, he finds himself with a fat bank account but an increasing sense of emptiness and unease. His search for meaning takes him to Seattle, but tragedy sends him into self-imposed exile. Forced to confront his disillusionment, Jordy eventually finds a way to re-enter the world.