In a famous beauty spot, two boys discover the gruesome remains of a young couple. Called to the scene, Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Redd, and his new partner DS Felicity Dove, face mutilated bodies and a neat pile of old bleached bones. On the chest of the male is a scrap of parchment with strange letters. The whole scene smacks of ritual.

With recent government cuts, profilers are scarce. The station counsellor tells him an American psychologist Doctor Tessa Davies, is researching a new angle to profiling, As it is mainly to do with symbolism, she might be of help in interpreting the messages.

Redd's heart chills when she unlocks the message. He suspects there is more than one perpetrator. The killings could escalate.