Blood splattered daffodils...stuffed in a dead woman's mouth. The random act of a sneering gang or revenge forged in burning hatred? West Midlands Police think Sophie Carrington's murder is the latest attack by teen yobs beating up the old—but Detective Sergeant Bev Morriss won't accept it. No one desecrates a body like that unless it's personal. The bizarre bouquet is a chilling message. Find out what it means and it'll point straight to the killer, Bev insists—but no one will listen. For Bev's reputation has hit rock bottom. Blunders, outbursts, and bitterness at being passed over for the acting DI's post have left her drained, miserable and friendless. Only Oz, her secret lover, is still there for her—and even he doubts her theory. When her glamorous new boss buries Bev in paperwork and insults, it's time for Birmingham's most gritty detective to rebel. But she soons finds it's more than just her professional survival at stake when the killer decides Bev's family is next...