Scotland Yard Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and Sergeant Gemma James are sent to suburban Surrey to investigate the murder of a high-ranking police officer. Alastair Gilbert was bludgeoned to death in his kitchen, and the list of potential suspects is long-the man's arrogance earned him widespread enmity both in the village where he lived and in police circles. But Duncan and Gemma must put aside their personal feelings-for the victim, as well as for each other-to solve the most troubling case either has faced.