DCI Bain is called in to investigate the murder of a prostitute, but the case takes on a personal note when one of his childhood friends turns out to be the prime suspect.
Bain and the team are searching for a young boy who witnessed the murder of his mother while on a caravan holiday, but the killer is looking for him as well.
Several sexually motivated murders have occurred in a seemingly peaceful farming community, but when DCI Bain tries to hunt down the killer, he encounters a secret subculture within the village and suspects that there may be an outside international connection as well.
An demented escapee from prison who is seeking justice for the murder of his brother, takes DCI Bain hostage at a remote cabin.
Following a particularly vicious murder attempt, DCI Bain comes into contact with a small religious cult, and he soon comes to the conclusion that the daughter of the intended victim may have some important knowledge about the attack.
DCI Bain is called in to investigate the possibility that a famous concert pianist may have murdered her husband.