Chief Inspector Julie Marsden is pushing forty and odds on to die alone. She is apparently short of allure, whatever allure she had having long since collapsed under the excess weight of unreasonable expectation. She is possessed of an absolute certainty that she is exceptionally good at her job, that good men are rarer than rocking horse manure, and that she is the world’s worst mother. How else can she explain Emily Calier – such a pleasant and respectful girl – and Rosie, her own truth challenged and belligerent teenage daughter – so horrible, especially to her? Amidst this angst and inner turmoil and, yes, guilt, lots of guilt, small town Rotherham suddenly has a kidnapping, a death, and at least one murder. Julie’s at the cutting edge. Where she loves to be. But the pressure to get a result is quickly building, Rosie is running wild and out of control, ex-husband, Dennis, is useless, and her new sweetheart, Michael, is her daughter’s head teacher… AND a suspect.