Two men lose their jobs, one committing suicide. A body, looking like a Mafia style hit, is found near Manchester. Detective Superintendant Grant despatches DI VW Weekes and two colleagues to the neighbouring city of Huydle to investigate. Other almost identical bodies turn up in Huydle, so Weekes teams up with his former boss DCI Lorna Hughes in an effort to solve what are becoming serial killings, with police and council officials as the targets. Hampered by obstacles sent from above, they have to both disobey orders and risk their lives in an effort to uncover the truth and the far reaching consequences of the killings.