DCI Adam Dalgliesh is sent to a nursing school to investigate the death of Heather Pearce, a student poisoned during a demonstration.

After the death of another student nurse at Nightingale House, Dalgliesh's hunt for the murderer intensifies and may put his own life in danger.

Dalgliesh is invited to Dorset by an old friend, only to discover that he has recently died, as well as a resident at a mysterious nearby home for people with disabilities.

After another suspicious death at Toynton Grange, a vote is held on its future. Convinced that the deaths are linked, Dalgliesh races to identify the murderer.

Two bodies are found in a London church with their throats slashed: a homeless man and an aristocratic Tory MP, who had recently resigned after a guest drowned at his wife's birthday party; Dalgliesh is called in to investigate.

After the attack on Father Barnes while Halliwell was in custody, Dalgliesh brings Swayne and Lampart in for questioning.