A talented young footballer is found stabbed to death after celebrating his nineteenth birthday. DCI Lewis and the team consider whether the attack was motivated by racial hatred, jealousy or revenge.

DI Mayne goes under cover as a prisoner to investigate the suspicious death of an inmate who had been awaiting the outcome of an appeal against a murder conviction. He soon discovers that several inmates have a connection with the original murder victim. Janine frets when Michael is arrested following a car crash.