DCI Shefford dies suddenly whilst investigating a murder case. Jane Tennison is given the opportunity to take over the investigation which involves the brutal murder of a young girl. The girl's body has been badly mutilated and her hands have been tied behind her back. Jane suspects that it is the work of George Marlow. Jane also has to win the respect and approval of her male colleagues.
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.
Transferred to a new station with the new job of 'cleaning up the streets' of Soho, DCI Jane Tennison and her new team become involved in the seedy underworld of vice involving rent boys and transvestites, pornography and sickening abuse.
A local photographer is questioned after being caught destroying evidence linking him with the victim, and further searches of his studio reveal some shocking video evidence.
Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison finds her private and professional life in tatters when a series of murders lead to her old adversary, George Marlow.
Jane Tennison has been transferred from the Met to Manchester and a drug runner is shot dead returning to his apartment and Tennison finds she is hot on the case.
Tony and Ruth Sturdy's 14 year old daughter Sallie is missing. Due to retire, this could be Tennison's last case: but she has more than this to contend with. Her father is seriously ill and she has turned to alcohol.
Curtis Flynn flees the scene of his brutal encounter with Tennison. As the end draws near the truth surrounding the death of Sallie finally emerges and the hunt for the killer ends in a shattering confrontation.
