DCI Lewis leads an investigation into the murder of a private investigator. The team investigate the detective agency and discover that the dead man had been working on behalf of a convicted criminal, but DS Shap appears to be pursuing his own agenda. Janine takes some time off work to deal with Tom, who has been playing truant.
DCI Lewis and the team deal with the murder of a veterinary surgeon and discover that the victim had been planning to leave her husband for her lover, but the investigation leads to the uncovering of some difficult relationships within the tight-knit farming community. DS Butchers has a difficult appraisal with DI Mayne.
DI Mayne goes under cover as a prisoner to investigate the suspicious death of an inmate who had been awaiting the outcome of an appeal against a murder conviction. He soon discovers that several inmates have a connection with the original murder victim. Janine frets when Michael is arrested following a car crash.