A serial killer terrorizes a Yorkshire community, taunting the police with cryptic literary quotations while Detective Superintendent Dalziel struggles to maintain order amidst a mounting body count. The investigation centers on the hunt for the 'Yorkshire Choker,' a murderer who targets women and leaves behind enigmatic clues that baffle the local authorities. Dalziel, a man of blunt pragmatism, finds himself at odds with his team, particularly when Sergeant Wield introduces unconventional investigative methods like clairvoyance into the case. As the killer strikes with increasing frequency, the narrative explores the friction between traditional police work and the desperate, often irrational, measures taken to stop a predator. The story unfolds through a classic procedural framework, highlighting the internal dynamics of the police force as they race against time.

This work is widely regarded as a quintessential entry in the long-running Dalziel and Pascoe series, noted for its blend of dark humor and traditional mystery elements. The narrative is frequently praised for its sharp character dynamics, particularly the contrast between Dalziel's cynical, old-school approach and the more modern, nuanced methods of his colleagues. Readers and critics often highlight the author's ability to weave literary references into a grim crime plot without sacrificing the tension of the procedural. The book is recognized for its authentic portrayal of the Yorkshire setting and its refusal to rely on simple tropes, instead offering a complex look at the mechanics of a police investigation.