The body of a teenage girl is found and the investigation leads Jane into a community who distrust the police. Jane has recently had an affair with DS Bob Oswalde and he is assigned to the case. David Harvey confesses to the murder but neither Jane or Bob believe him. Bob is convinced that it is really the girl's young neighbour Tony Allen. Together they are able to discover who the real murderer is.

Following her promotion, Jane Tennison returns to Southampton Row to head an investigation into the murder of a young child.

Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison finds her private and professional life in tatters when a series of murders lead to her old adversary, George Marlow.