DCI Vera Stanhope investigates the case of murdered social worker, Jenny Lister. Jenny is considered to have been principled and popular but, in an overworked and understaffed social work system, a notorious case involving the death of a child appears to hold the key to solving the investigation. Through her innate empathy and intuition, Vera pursues the truth until she discovers the real secret at the heart of Jenny's death, and the killer who will stop at nothing to keep a secret.