Sergeant Cork is called in to solve a medical case, young Surgeon Doctor Briscoe operates on a young woman without authority, who later dies, his superior believes it's a criminal matter.
The secretary of a charitable society is found strangled in her office, but Cork is not convinced that a man spotted running from the scene is the killer.
Cork and Marriott investigate the case of a young woman terrified by her cruel stepmother, as she slowly weakens under the supervision of doctor conducting a sadistic experiment.
Cork investigates after two attempts on the life of a judge, and finds it is both his harshness on the bench and his personal life that have made him enemies.
Sir Radlett Grainger's grandson has vanished so Cork and Marriett go to Chelford. They discover the boy, on Amos Kedge barge but when he is returned home, his father, Charles Medway denies it is his child. Kedge is later found murdered.
Fourteen year old Alan Fowler has been sentenced to death for the murder of his School Master, the Judge that sentenced him, Lord Justice Palmer receives death threats.
Superintendent Rodway has taken charge of CID, Cork is moved to a new office, the current case sees him investigate the robbery of The Bristol Mail train.