Maya Curtis, a Philippino with a long history of sexual abuse, kisses her new husband as she leaves for work in Oncology Wing of St Margaret's Hospital, blissfully unaware that she is destined to be the first mutilated member of the cast in a series of theatrically staged murders, her death at first appearing to be natural. That opinion is rapidly revised when the pathologist sees that Maya's clitoris has been surgically removed just after death.
DI John Hunter regards the case as an obvious no-hoper. There is no scene of crime evidence, no obvious motive, and literally hundreds of possible killers. He and Jane go through the motions, interviewing staff, but the case stagnates.
Exactly five weeks later another Philippino nurse is killed in exactly the same way and in the same place. Her clitoris is also removed. Both women have histories where sex was a major part of their lives. Now there are too many possible motives: racial, sexual, revenge against the Department or a member of staff. John still faces the same problems.
The list of victims grows longer, with both nurses and doctors victims, always with body parts removed.
At last John thinks he knows who and where, unaware that Jane is in mortal danger...