DS Walker pursues Damon Morton, accused of brutally attacking women, but the case is complicated by false confessions and alibis.
When Susan Harrow does not return home, her mother reports her missing to the police. Her body is later discovered on wasteland and an investigation is launched, once again headed by Walker. Following a second murder, the team realise that they have a serial killer on their hands.
Marilyn Spark's identification of Morton as her attacker is given credence when the severed breasts of the dead victims are discovered on Morton's premises and he is set for trial. He is defended by the formidable Corinna Maddox, known as 'Batwoman' for her tenacity, whilst the prosecutor is supercilious but wily Rupert Halliday, whose best line of attack is to work on Morton's cowed wife Cindy, who tolerated his young mistress being brought home and is doubtless providing a false alibi.