Det. Superintendent Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren) finds herself investigating a bizarre death in a very different part of London, an affluent commuter suburb. When the manager of the local country club is found dead in his home, neighbours are quick to blame youngsters from the rundown housing estate nearby, and the local police are happy to go along with that view. With her personnel resources at full stretch, D.S. Tennison is forced to engage in political games with the community while pulling together a difficult team and leading a problematic investigation.