Venetia Aldridge QC is a distinguished criminal lawyer. When she secures the acquittal of a young man, Garry Ashe, from the charge of murdering his aunt, a series of bizarre events is set in motion, starting with her own murder.

Adam Dalgliesh, the poet Scotland Yard commander, uncovers the reason for Venetia's death, and its connection with the subsequent murder of her office cleaner. The secrets, locked in the past, which gave rise to these violent events have all come to light when, in a startling climax in the East Anglia marshlands, Garry Ashe is cornered by the police and shot dead.

Includes interview with P.D. James.