Retired archaeologist Judith Potts’s peaceful evening in Marlow is shattered when she hears a gunshot coming from her neighbor’s garden and believes that a brutal murder has taken place. With the local police – led by newly promoted DS Tanika Malik – reluctant to believe her story, Judith starts her own investigation, enlisting the help of unfulfilled vicar’s wife Becks Starling. Judith digs into the alibi of the arrogant owner of the local auction house, but her suspicions ultimately hits a dead end. An ominous warning message leaves Judith even more determined to catch the killer, and local dog-walker and empty nester Suzie Harris makes a terrible discovery that personally involves her in the investigation.
Despite Tanika’s warnings to stay away from the case, Judith, Becks and Suzie continue to investigate, and follow a trail of clues left by the murder weapon. This leads them to an eccentric local weapons collector with an alarming secret, but their questioning proves inconclusive. Judith puts herself in danger during a suspicious local break-in and Becks uncovers crucial forensic evidence. Judith spots a pattern in the evidence and, with help from the friendly local magnet fishers, the trio uncover new evidence that leads them to a chilling discovery – they have a serial killer on their hands!
With the team in a race against time to stop the killer, Tanika decides to bring Judith, Becks and Suzie into the police investigation as civilian advisors. Evidence from the break-in points to the owner of the local rowing club, but the team can’t find solid evidence to connect her to the murder. Following another lead, the trio visit the office of a local lawyer, and suspect that he’s hiding something. They plan a thrilling heist and retrieve vital hidden evidence. The police make a forensic breakthrough on the crime scene evidence – have they caught their killer? The team rush to apprehend a suspect, only to realize that they were on the wrong track and have made a fatal mistake. With the investigation suffering a big setback, Tanika and the trio must reconsider if they are on the right path.
The women wonder if they’ve got what it takes to solve this case – Becks’ family are worried for her safety, Suzie’s daughter is about to return home, and Tanika is under pressure from her superiors. But Judith makes a breakthrough with the evidence from the lawyer’s office – there’s an important link between the murders, and the investigation is back on! Judith sets about creating the perfect trap for the killer and must also grapple with a personal secret from her past. It leads her into a dangerous confrontation as she risks her life to reveal the murderer’s identity, just as a huge storm hits Marlow, cutting her off from her friends and the police. Becks and Suzie must follow their instincts and convince Tanika and her team that Judith is in danger before it’s too late – will they make it in time to save their friend and stop the killer?