Gently and Bacchus investigate the supposedly accidental death of "China," an ex-informant. The coroner's report described China as a drunk and vagrant who died after a fall but Gently's inquiries reveal cover-ups, lies, a conspiracy, and another murder.

After the body of a missing teenager is found in a shallow grave, Gently and Bacchus quickly zero in on her relationships with her schoolteacher and her violent father. The detectives enter a new world of pop culture and find others with a motive to kill.