Dylan Scott has problems. Dismissed in disgrace from the police force for assaulting a suspect, he has no job, his wife has thrown him out and - worse luck - his mother has moved in. So when Holly Champion begs him to investigate the disappearance of her mother 13 years ago, he can’t say no - even though it means taking up residence in the dreary Lancashire town of Dawson’s Clough for the duration.

Although the local police still believe Anita Champion took off for a better life, Dylan’s inquiries turn up plenty of potential suspects: the drug-dealing, muscle-bound bouncer at the club where Anita was last seen; the missing woman’s four girlfriends, out for revenge; the local landowner with rumored mob connections - the list goes on. But no one is telling Dylan all they know - and he soon finds that one sleepy Northern town can keep a lot of secrets.