Police sergeant Jack Clark is existing in a world a million miles from his normal life, working undercover with some of the most dangerous villains and pushers in the area and living in a derelict squat. At the end of each day he feels lucky just to be alive. Now his case is nearly over; a police raid is planned to wreck the drug barons' plans. The raid at the large countryside manor is successful, but several hours after numerous arrests are made, the fire brigade are called to attend a fire at the same house. A body is found and all the signs indicate it will be simple case. Then Chief Inspector Percy Peach, Detective Sergeant Lucy Blake and their team are called in to investigate; and an unusual, and unexpected, case of murder unfolds...