After being disgraced, investigator Rose Linden is sent to work under Marion Maloney at the Criminal Justice Review Agency. Despite being told to resume light duties only, Rose ignores orders and soon drags Maloney him into a case of injustice.

As the investigation deepens, Rose battles with her own demons as she is forced to cope with the knowledge that she has recently freed a man who is actually guilty of the crime for which he was sentenced.

Rose receives an appeal from Daniel Berrington, who was found guilty of murdering retired army officer Arthur Towns when he was ten years old. He is now eighteen and eligible for parole, but he risks his chance of freedom by claiming his innocence.

Daniel escapes from custody, presenting Rose with a difficult dilemma: hand him over to the authorities and save her job, or risk the Agency's future by taking on the case. It's not long before Rose's suspicions are put to the test.

Rose and Maloney delve into the case of a teenage nanny jailed for killing a baby in her care.

Rose wonders if she and Maloney made a mistake in securing Katie's release when she discovers that Marsha was not Will's mother.