When Charlotte Dunn is discovered brutally murdered in the Jacuzzi of her local fitness centre, Detective Inspector Jane Douglas and Detective Sergeant Maureen Phipps find themselves in a desperate race against time to unmask the killer. The serene setting of the fitness centre is shattered by the gruesome crime, leaving the community in shock and fear.

The investigation begins with a single, cryptic clue: the word "Yarpie" scrawled in Charlotte's diary on the day of her death. This mysterious term leaves the detectives puzzled. However, Police Constable Sarah Churchill, who has spent considerable time in South Africa, recognizes the term as a colloquial reference to South Africans. This revelation shifts the focus of the investigation towards individuals with connections to South Africa.

Their prime suspect quickly becomes Marlene Smith, a seemingly ordinary woman who is soon revealed to be living under an alias. Her true identity is Marieke De Kuyper, a South African national with a shadowy past. Jane's husband, Adam, also a Detective Inspector in a neighbouring town, has been on Marieke's trail for some time, suspecting her involvement in a drug smuggling ring. Despite his efforts, she had managed to elude capture until now.

As Jane and Maureen delve deeper into Charlotte's life, they uncover a series of large payments made to her bank account by someone named A. Van Der Heuvel. This discovery raises more questions than answers. Who is Van Der Heuvel, and what was their connection to Charlotte?

The case takes an unexpected turn when Maureen, while watching the evening news, recognizes the name Anneke Van Der Heuvel, a prominent newscaster. The realization that Anneke might be connected to the case adds a new layer of complexity. When Marlene is subsequently found murdered, suspicion naturally falls on Anneke. However, she presents a seemingly unbreakable alibi for both murders, leaving the detectives at a dead end.

As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that both Charlotte and Marlene were entangled in a dangerous smuggling operation, along with a man named Mike Griffiths. The stakes are raised as Adam and Jane join forces, pooling their resources and expertise to track down the elusive killer. With the clock ticking and the body count rising, they must navigate a web of deceit and danger to prevent further bloodshed and bring the murderer to justice.