DCI Vera Stanhope investigates the mysterious murder of a fifty six year old grandmother, discovered by a young girl on the wild and desolate Northumberland moors. The body is swiftly identified as Anne-Marie Richards, recently returned from Scotland to reconcile with her two daughters, Nicole McKendrick and Christine Withers. A 999 call placed by Anne-Marie on the night of the murder, coupled with the disturbed state of her cottage, suggests a possible abduction by someone she knew.