SixmonthshavepassedsinceDr.OgdenmovedtoBuffaloandDet.MurdochisconstantlyaloggerheadswithDr.Francis,herreplacement.WhileInsp.BrackenreidthinkshighlyofFrancis,whowasrecruitedfromScotlandYard,Murdochfindshimstubbornandunimaginative.HealsoseemstobeinnorushtohelpMurdochwithhislatestcasewherehumanbodybodypartswerediscoveredonariverbankencasedincement.AhomelessmanlivinginthewoodsnearbyisquestionedandreleasedandMurdochcorrespondswithDr.Ogdenwhooffershimvaluableadviceinherletters.Healsogetshelpfromaretireddetective,MalcolmLamb.Murdochconnectshiscurrentinvestigationarapeandmurderthathadoccurredmanyyearsbeforeddd