Cracker

After a violent murder, Fitz is sure the police are on the wrong track, but he and Bilborough have yet to resolve their differences.

Albie is intent on killing the same number of victims as died in the Hillsborough football tragedy, and he targets a freelance female reporter. DS Beck stumbles upon him, but with tragic misjudgment--Albie escapes only to stab DCI Bilborough to death.

Following the murder of DCI Bilborough, the hunt is on for Albie. DCI Wise takes over the investigation and Fitz is brought in to defuse a potentially fatal and explosive situtation.

Fitz is sucked into the investigation of a teenage girl's disappearance and comes face to face with suburban savagery.

Trant and the others discover that Joanna is still alive and immediately turn their attention to Dean whom they trusted to dispose of her body. However, a hospitalized Joanna is unable to tell the police anything. Investigating the cult, DS Beck extracts a confession from Dean but Fitz tries to get at the truth. He persuades DCI Wise to see the boy in his cell, but fears it may be too late.

Another death pushes Fitz closer to the edge in his pursuit of the Trant family. But they've closed ranks and proof seems impossible to come by.

The team are confronted with a series of chillingly executed attacks on women. With no evidence, the only certainty seems to be that the rapist will strike again.

The police finally catch Floyd and Fitz almost makes a breakthrough, before he has to be released due to lack of evidence. Floyd's audacity grows as he phones Fitz on his radio show asking how the rapist should cover his tracks. Fitz's response has fatal consequences for the next victim.

Floyd's delicate psyche has been damaged by his interrogation and he seeks revenge, which threatens Fitz's family. DS Penhaligon, meanwhile, is looking for her own revenge on the man who raped her and it appears only Fitz's abilities can save another life.