Rookie DC Anna Travis is determined to earn respect and prove her mettle when she is assigned to her first murder case, under the unorthodox guidance of DCI James Langton. Investigating a series of brutal and ritualistic murders of young women, Anna uncovers a vital piece of information that seems to link one man to all the women - but her suspect, Alan Daniels, is a handsome actor on the brink of international stardom. Daniels seems to be above suspicion, and Anna finds that even she may not be immune to his charms.

With DCI Langton keen to spring a honey-trap on actor Alan Daniels, Anna agrees to accompany Daniels to a night at the ballet, but by the end of the evening she thinks he may be innocent of the murders. And when a victim's handbag is discovered in a Manchester squat, suspicion falls on another man. But could Daniels just be putting on another performance for Anna's benefit? And does he have more of his story to tell?

A Black Dahlia copycat may be on the loose.

The case is drawing to an end as Travis and Langton close in on the copycat killer, their investigation of the main suspect uncovering long-buried secrets of sadistic cruelty and murderous intent.