The body of a woman is discovered lying in a ditch on the outskirts of Ormskirk. Enquiries reveal a link with her ex husband. The absence of sexual assault or robbery seems to indicate a domestic dispute which has escalated out of control. A second murder takes place and chief detective inspector Sam Deakin now has to decide whether this is a copycat killing or whether a serial killer is on the loose. Sam and his sergeant Harry Jones are faced with a race against time to catch a killer who seems able to kill and disappear without trace or motive.