Toronto, 1960. Mo Gold and Arthur "Birdie" Birdwell are like fish out of water. Mo is Jewish and sardonic; Birdie's black, thoughtful and gargantuan. They're private detectives.

Henry Turner disappeared eight years ago without a trace, and his mother wants him back. Mo and Birdie try to find him; they search high and low.

Meanwhile, Mo's father Jake is in prison on a manslaughter beef. When he escapes, all hell breaks loose.