When a convicted murderer escapes prison on the same night his former lover is found dead, Inspector Trave must navigate a web of personal and professional conflicts to uncover the truth. David Swain, serving a life sentence for a crime he may not have committed, finds himself the prime suspect in a new homicide that hits uncomfortably close to home. As Inspector Trave leads the investigation, he discovers that his own ex-wife is entangled with the victim's family, creating a volatile conflict of interest. The narrative follows a dual-track structure, alternating between the fugitive's desperate flight and the detective's methodical, yet compromised, pursuit of justice.

This novel presents a classic British procedural framework that relies heavily on the intersection of personal morality and legal duty. The narrative structure suggests a focus on the psychological toll of investigative work when the detective's own life is compromised by the case. Readers likely encounter a methodical pacing that prioritizes the slow unraveling of secrets over rapid-fire action sequences. The premise points to a story that examines the blurred lines between guilt and innocence within a tightly knit social circle.