When a gruesome murder shocks the small cane farming community of Ingham, Queensland, Detective Arnold Ryan feels it more keenly than most, since the victim is an old friend. Ryan's vow to apprehend the culprit intensifies when a second incident, bearing all the trademarks of the first, leaves another friend dead.

Realising his prime suspect has cause to hate him and his friends, Ryan must act quickly to prevent further bloodshed. Moreover, an escalation by the serial killer may uncover a dark secret that the township--and Ryan--would rather leave buried.