In the Yorkshire Dales stands the pretty village of Enscombe, proud survivor of all that history has thrown at it. But now market forces mass at the gates, and the old way of life seems to be changing fast. The Law can do little to stop the ever-growing crimes against tradition, and when DCI Pascoe and Andy Dalziel investigate the disappearance of a policeman they unearth a hotbed of lust, lying, family feuds and ancient injuries.