DCI Kelso Strang is led to believe that something very odd is going on aroundthe prosperous fishing port of Tarleton on Scotland's south-east coast. Firstly,a young Detective Inspector is traumatised after witnessing a doctor throwingherself off a cliff, and accusations of extortion have risen the local community.And when the ugly death of a young farmer sets off a murder investigation,Strang finds himself caught in a spider's web of criminality. He is entirelyunprepared when he is struck by the worst tragedy of his career, even thoughit has also brought him into contact with a young advocate's assistant calledCatriona, daughter of DI Marjory Fleming.