Set in the year 1999, this is a simple detective story set against a backdrop of overpopulation and pollution.
Andy Rusch is a detective investigating the murder of Michael O'Brien, a racketeer with friends in high places who want the murderer found. They suspect that another racketeer is trying to take over O'Brien's patch. The killer is, in fact, Billy Chung, a Chinese teenager from a Manhattan dock ghetto who has to steal to get enough food to live. He broke into O'Brien's apartment, and killed the owner when he was discovered.

Rusch's roommate is Sol Kahn, an old man who can remember the world as it was before the days of overpopulation, and he provides the link between our world and Harrison's future one.

This is a novel where the background is more important than the story, it provides a grim warning of what the near future could be like if the natural resources of the planet continue to be wasted.

A bibliography of suggested further reading (non-fiction) is also included.

The novel formed the basis of the movie Soylent Green.

Dedication: To Todd and Moira. For your sakes, children, I hope this proves to be a work of fiction.