A quiet night at the Aidensfield Arms turns into a life or death situation when the pub is targeted by armed robbers, and Nick, Greengrass and George find themselves held at gunpoint in the cellar. Meanwhile, a tip-off from the most unlikeliest source leads to the Ashfordly team cracking down on a number of past crimes, whilst the local newsagent causes a stir when he begins selling Swedish pornography.

An army deserter descends on Aidensfield when his feud with his racist sergeant results in a horrific death, but when Nick is called to investigate a burglary at a farm, the tormented soldier soon learns he can never escape his troubles. Meanwhile, Kate becomes determined to keep a fractured family together when social services become concerned a grieving widow is unfit to look after her son, only to find herself picking up the pieces from the late Ferrenby's misjudgement, whilst Greengrass in in the constabularies spotlight once again.