The discovery of a charred corpse in a disused railway tunnel sets Taggart on the gruesome hunt for a ruthless killer in an investigation with sinister undertones of black magic and voodoo. The wife of an arthritic dentist narrowly escapes a series of murder attempts, adding to a complex case for Taggart and his team.

Julia Fraser, wife of a police sergeant, is brutally murdered whilst he is on duty. During a search of the house a list of names is found. It appears that the names on the list are rapidly meeting with a series of accidents - and yet the only connection between them is the list.

DCI Jardine and the team investigate a series of mysterious deaths among members of a tango club after a pre-wedding parachute jump ends in the bridegroom plunging to his death. And as Jackie Reid's wedding day approaches, Ross tries to convince her that she is rushing into marriage too quickly.