In the tranquil setting of the South Downs a killer is at large as a young girl suffers a cruel death, the second such death in the area. Law enforcement officers are under extreme pressure to apprehend the culprit and suspicion falls on a mild-mannered music teacher who is wholly innocent of the crime. Lies are told in open court that ensures his conviction and he is sentenced to life imprisonment. Young Detective Sergeant Josie Prentiss is deeply suspicious of the verdict and she will ensure that some form of justice prevails and the blame is attributed to the real killer.