After several years living as a virtual recluse in his Somerset home town of Market Abbas, troubled ex-soldier Stuart Dunn is about to embark on a relationship with Faye, the young barmaid at his local, when his friend, entertainment lawyer Barry Soames, is murdered. Detective Inspector Allen Chase of the Metropolitan Police arrives in Market Abbas to investigate the murder, and meets PC Lauren Halshaw for the first time. Meanwhile, a music journalist travels to the Scottish Highlands to interview legendary bassist Steve Strongbow, who has recently completed a prison sentence for the murder of a groupie. With the murder investigation stalled, DI Chase is forced to enlist Stuart's help to trap the killer.