DennisAllanisanscientistwhovisitsHaitionthestrengthofarumourofadrugwhichrenderstherecipienttotallyparalyzedbutconscious.Thedrug'seffectsoftenfooldoctors,whodeclarethevictimsdead.Couldthisbetheoriginofthe"zombie"legend?AlanembarksonasurprisingandoftensurrealinvestigationoftheturbulentsocialchaosthatisHaitiduringtherevolutionwhichoustedhateddictator"BabyDoc"Duvalier.Oftenapawninagreatergame,Alanmustdecidewhatisscience,whatissuperstition,andwhatistheunknowninaanarchisticsocietywherepolicecorruptionandwitch-doctoryarecommonplace.