When a colleague becomes seriously ill, Chief Superintendent Frances Harman delays her retirement to oversee an investigation into a recent spate of "happy slappings". Initially, she takes a back seat, but it is not long before she is close to the action again.
The wave of assaults has ignited a media furore. Fran soon finds herself having to spend as much time trying to control the media as trying to catch the criminals.
As the crimes gradually escalate, and the line between "happy slapping" and serious sexual assault becomes blurred, all mention of retirement is postponed until Fran can resolve the nightmare that has enveloped around her.