Content Warning: This novel contains depictions of substance use disorders, violence, warzone-related trauma, racism, and emotional manipulation. Further, the novel references mental health conditions, suicide, sexual assault, and financial manipulation.

Outside an apartment building, police block off journalists and paparazzi. Some girls bring flowers to the scene as reporters are filmed discussing a woman falling from her penthouse balcony. Detective Inspector Roy Carver and Detective Sergeant Eric Wardle wait for the police ambulance so they can move the woman’s body from the investigation tent. Several days go by and information about the case circulates in the media; the conclusion is that the woman died by suicide. Three months pass.

Robin reflects on her engagement to her partner, Matthew, which took place the night before as she exits the London Underground. She makes her way to her latest temporary secretary position. As she ascends the stairs, a woman nearly knocks her over. Robin reaches Strike’s private detective agency and is excited due to her secret desire to be a private detective. She starts to enter the office but runs into a large man who emerges from the door so quickly she is knocked off her feet.