Chief Inspector Alan Banks of the Criminal Investigation Department has been recently transferred from London to Eastvale, a town in the Yorkshire dales. His desire to escape the stress of city life appears to be satisfied by Eastvale's cobbled market square, its tree-shaded river and its picturesque castle ruins. But the village begins to show a more dangerous side... As a peeping Tom disturbs the peace of Eastvale women, police are accused of underestimating the seriousness of the crime. At the same time, Banks is investigating the case of two local teenagers whose crimes are escalating from theft to violence. The two cases weave together as this tough, gritty novel of power and suspense reaches a terrifying and surprising climax.