When a child vanishes in the shadow of a long-forgotten tragedy, detectives Dalziel and Pascoe must confront the ghosts of the past to prevent a cycle of violence from repeating. As the investigation into the disappearance of a young girl unfolds in the village of Dendale, the detectives face resistance from a community still scarred by the flooding of their valley decades earlier. The narrative shifts between the present-day police inquiry and the lingering trauma of the displaced villagers, forcing the protagonists to navigate a web of secrets and long-held grudges. The investigation is complicated by the physical isolation of the region and the psychological weight of historical grievances that threaten to obscure the truth.

This novel is widely regarded as a high point in the Dalziel and Pascoe series, noted for its intricate plotting and emotional depth. Critics often highlight the author's ability to balance a traditional police procedural with a profound exploration of social and historical themes. Readers frequently observe that the atmospheric setting serves as a character in its own right, adding layers of tension to the central mystery. The narrative's refusal to provide easy answers or simple moral resolutions is often cited as a hallmark of the work's enduring quality.