The coastal village of Polford in the West Country used to be very prosperous as a fishing village. But times have changed, and the area seems to have fallen onto hard times. However, recent events may bring the area back to prosperity …

That is, until a dead body is found on the cliffside beach.

Sergeant Fowler of the local constabulary begins an investigation as to who the dead man is and how/why he died, assisted by the newly arrived P.C. Beaumont, fresh from the Police Training College and never having even seen a dead body before. But solving this case may not be so simple, especially when more dead bodies turn up indicating that a serial killer may ne on the loose in the area and Sergeant Fowler’s handling of the case may be compromised by interference from higher-ups in the police force …