A detective learns to suppress his feelings when a verdict is announced. Peter Diamond, the head of Bath's murder team, reveals no joy when the gang leader Jake Carpenter is sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. But the next day, when a woman is shot dead in Royal Victoria Park, Diamond's self-control dissolves in an instant.

The dead woman is Stephanie, his own wife.

Traumatised, grief-stricken and angry for justice, Diamond is told that the case he is desperate to solve is the one he won't be allowed to work on. Not only that. As the victim's spouse, he must face the ignominy of being treated as a suspect. While the police put their efforts into checking him out, Diamond starts his own unauthorised investigation. Might someone be getting back at him? Starting with Jake Carpenter, he begins examining recent cases to see who might have exacted this cruel revenge. Soon he is sifting the dust of his entire career.