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.

A delirious prisoner on death row tells Dr Lucien Blake he is innocent of the police shooting for which he is soon to hang. Dr Blake pulls out all stops to uncover the truth.

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.