A year after proving that she can handle a murder enquiry as well as any man D.C.I. Tennison is launched back into battle at Scotland Yard. The body of a young girl is discovered in a shallow grave in the back garden of a terraced house in an Afro-Carribean neighbourhood of London. The difficult job of identifying the body and finding the murderer is only made worse when the controversial subject of racism rears its ugly head. Having to contend with prejudice and misunderstanding from both the locals and from within her own team and dealing with a boss who has one eye on his own promotion D.C.I. Tennison has to use her powers of ingenuity courage and compassion as she faces the political disapproval of the public and her colleagues.