In the village of Thirksby the mine is being broken down to make way for a new hi tech factory. Protestors at the site storm the site and this leads to the uncovering of a skeleton, who has been there since the strikes of '84/'85. The victim turns out to be a bent undercover cop, who was supposed to have run off with £250,000 meant for the strikers. Dalziels investigation opens a lot of wounds and awakens bad memories of the strike for both himself and the old miners. Peter Pascoe starts to doubt his superior as he researches Dalziels involvement 15 years ago. Dalziel sees his sister for the first time in 7 years but time has not improved their relationship. As the developer of the old mine is found murdered the secrets start to be revealed, opening old wounds and causing new ones.

A paralyzed girl is miraculously healed after sitting under a tree in the woods near her home. Later the same tree yields the body of a young girl killed a long time ago. This leads Dalziel into a web of abuse by the Catholic Church, including the practice of splitting up families and making youngsters slave labour on church farms. In the village Dalziel bumps into his sister, who is trying to find her brother, that Dalziel knew nothing about. And she has news for him that breaks his heart.