When a disinterred corpse is discovered at Holm Coultram College, Superintendent Dalziel and Sergeant Pascoe are thrust into a volatile academic environment marked by a series of fresh murders. The investigation forces the duo to navigate the friction between traditional law enforcement and the radicalized student body. Dalziel faces direct hostility from protesters while Pascoe attempts to balance his professional duties with a rekindled personal connection among the faculty. The narrative employs a third-person perspective that highlights the contrasting investigative styles and temperaments of the two lead detectives.

This work is characterized by the established rapport between the two central detectives, which serves as the anchor for the narrative. The premise suggests a focus on the clash between the pragmatic, often abrasive nature of traditional policing and the idealistic, sometimes volatile atmosphere of higher education. Readers likely encounter a blend of dark humor and procedural rigor that defines the series' tone. The setting provides a backdrop for exploring themes of authority and social change through the lens of a classic whodunit structure.