The finding of a brutally murdered body on a city beach sends Detective Chief Inspector Simon Webster on a hunt for the perpetrator of the dastardly deed. With the identity of the body established, the course of the investigation leads Simon into the spurious world of politics with any number of devious politicians, gangsters and property developers seen as potential suspects. Simon's domestic situation provides no safe haven from the rigours of criminal catching as he tries to cope with the conviction his wife, Georgie, has that the quiet sea-side suburb is about to be invaded by a villainous bikie gang.