In the peaceful cathedral city of Lafferton, a gunman is terrorising young women. What – if anything – links the attacks? Is the marksman with a rifle the same person as the killer with a handgun or do the police have two snipers on their hands? Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Serrailler is in charge of the case, but he is also struggling to deal with a tragedy at the heart of his own family. Two forthcoming events – a local fair and the high-profile cathedral wedding of the Lord Lieutenant's daughter – only add to the pressure.