Following a string of murdered young women and one seemingly unrelated death, it is quite clear to DCI Strain that there is a serial killer at large. But with no witnesses, no clues and no forensic evidence to work with, he and his colleague, Detective Sergeant Rob Wilding are at a loss. Strain's love life plays heavily on his mind and is wreaking havoc with his thoughts. Christie has recently breezed into his life and is solely responsible for the mayhem that's a constant challenge to his otherwise quiet and balanced existence, and threatens to derail his focus on the case. But should he and Wilding also be looking a little closer to home for their suspect?