Set in a dystopian future, the narrative follows Adrian Torque, a rogue detective marked by trauma, as he searches for solace amid a dark and corrupt cityscape. After surviving a deadly confrontation, Adrian is left physically altered, haunted by his past battles and the stolen lives of his enemies. He is plagued both by vivid memories of his deceased wife and by the voice of a former foe living on through one of his many transplanted tongues—a grotesque implant that speaks without Adrian's consent. While maneuvering through this lawless, oppressive world, Adrian becomes obsessed with ridding himself of these unwanted voices, seeking vengeance against those responsible for his suffering and seeking redemption for his own sins.

Intertwined with Adrian's journey is the story of Ginny Chin-Chin Soo, a cybernetically enhanced prostitute who embarks on her own quest for identity and freedom. Ginny dreams of restoring her original appearance after being forcibly altered to become more marketable. Her path crosses with Adrian's as both fight to reclaim pieces of their broken selves, navigating an underground world rife with depravity and exploitation. Through their collision course, they form an unlikely bond, challenging their inner demons and questioning what it means to be truly human. As technology blurs the lines between organic and artificial, they grapple with questions of autonomy and the power dynamics that oppress them, setting up a confrontation that will redefine their existence.