The body of Rowena Bain is discovered in a wood. The forensic evidence suggests suicide, but Taggart is suspicious. The victim's sister thinks that Rowena's husband, Maurice, killed her. The case against Maurice grows when it is discovered that his first wife also disappeared in mysterious circumstances.

Tony Sabina is in town again, "The Great Sabina" to his fans. His hypnotic show relies on volunteers, among who is a young man called Stuart Fraser, and a girl called Frances Shaw. Frances who is hypnotized to believe that she could swim the channel is found drowned after the show. The resulting publicity leaves Sabins career in tatters and he decides to get even with all those who contribute to his downfall. Jardine and Reid investigate a series of killings that may have been carried out "to order".