When nuclear submarines plan to dock at the local naval base, young peace protesters from Durham University clash with the police. The next morning, the demonstrators' fiery leader, faculty member Fraser Baratt, turns up dead at the dockside.

When nuclear submarines plan to dock at the local naval base, young peace protesters from Durham University clash with the police. The next morning, the demonstrators' fiery leader, faculty member Fraser Baratt, turns up dead at the dockside.

The body of a missing teenager is found in a shallow grave. Gently quickly zeroes in on her relationship with two men: her schoolteacher and her violent, short-tempered father. The detective enters a confusing new world of pop culture as he tries to separate fact from fantasy.

The body of a missing teenager is found in a shallow grave. Gently quickly zeroes in on her relationship with two men: her schoolteacher and her violent, short-tempered father. The detective enters a confusing new world of pop culture as he tries to separate fact from fantasy.

Gently and Bacchus investigate the supposedly accidental death of China, who was one of the inspector's ex-informants and an old friend, but all they get are cover-ups and lies. Their inquiries expose a wider conspiracy.

Gently and Bacchus investigate the supposedly accidental death of China, who was one of the inspector's ex-informants and an old friend, but all they get are cover-ups and lies. Their inquiries expose a wider conspiracy.