Denton is having more than its fair share of crime. A serial killer is murdering local prostitutes; a man demolishing his garden shed uncovers a long-buried skeleton; there is an armed robbery at a local minimart and a ram raid at a jewellers.

But Detective Inspector Jack Frost's main concern is for the safety of a missing eight-year-old, and soon after another girl is reported missing, her body is found . . . raped and strangled.

Then Frost's prime suspect hangs himself in his cell, leaving a note blaming Frost for driving him to suicide.

Coarse, insubordinate and fearless, DI Jack Frost is in serious trouble.