When a wayward girl from the local reform school is found dead in Lake Wendouree, Dr Lucien Blake is immediately suspicious and shocks the police with his unconventional investigative methods.

When a travelling salesman dies in a car accident, police blame alcohol. Dr Blake concludes that the victim was not drunk and died before the crash of very unusual causes.

The death of a migrant factory foreman initially looks like an industrial accident. Dr Blake digs deeper revealing a hideous string of crimes and the ugly side of post war Australia. Meanwhile, Jean receives a marriage proposal.

A prospector strikes gold and later that night is found dead at the bottom of his mine shaft after showing off the nugget in the pub. The location of the murder triggers distressing war memories for Doctor Blake.

The suicide of the local hospital’s first female doctor shocks the community. Dr Blake suspects foul play and sets out to find the murderer amongst the staff and board of the hospital.

Meanwhile, another letter from Singapore arrives for Lucien. It takes him days to work up the courage to open it. His reaction to the news about his missing wife and daughter shocks Jean, Mattie and Danny.