A series of mysterious deaths in a freezing Peak District winter forces detectives Ben Cooper and Diane Fry to navigate both current violence and the echoes of a 1945 plane crash. As the harsh weather cripples the local police division, Fry is forced into an uneasy partnership while Cooper pursues a cold case involving a long-lost RAF pilot. The narrative shifts between the immediate pressure of the current investigation and the historical mystery surrounding the crash site on Irontongue Hill. Cooper’s determination to assist the pilot's granddaughter puts him at odds with departmental priorities, creating a friction that complicates the search for the truth. The story unfolds through a multi-perspective lens, highlighting the isolation of the landscape and the psychological toll of the investigation.

This work is characterized by its heavy reliance on the bleak, atmospheric landscape of the Peak District to heighten the tension of the police procedural. The narrative structure effectively balances the immediate demands of the current investigation with the slow-burning mystery of the historical plane crash. Readers likely appreciate the focus on the internal dynamics of the police force, particularly the friction between the central characters as they navigate difficult working conditions. The book suggests a methodical approach to crime fiction where the environment acts as a catalyst for the characters' psychological development. The pacing is deliberate, ensuring that the connection between the past and present violence is revealed through careful, incremental discovery.