In the autumn of 1988, Christine, a hairdresser in the small north eastern town of Mauberge in France, is violently sexually assaulted on her way to work early one morning.

In 1996, young investigating judge Irene Dereux realises that a case she has been assigned has striking similarities with others. She doggedly attempts to persuade the police that they have a serial rapist on their hands.

In winter 2003, Arlette Caruso, the charismatic mayor of a small town on the Sambre, learns that someone has raped one of her employees. She cajoles the victim into attending a press conference, leading to unanticipated consequences for both of them.

A Belgian investigating judge requests a university researcher to use algorithms to try and determine where a rapist lives, following a series of rapes committed on the other side of the border. Cecile Dumont agrees to undertake this novel approach.

In 2012, Etienne Winckler, a detective specialising in cold cases, is handed the old Sambre rapist case to see if it can be closed. As he pores over files at the local police archives, he discovers more victims, including Christine.

In 2018, Enzo Salina finally makes a mistake and is captured on CCTV close to the scene of one of his attacks. As his arrest is made known, his friends, family and community react in disbelief.