When DCI Kelso Strang hears that an old friend from his police college days suspects there is corruption in her local station at Halliburgh in the Borders of Scotland, he sends her undercover so they can act before a major scandal erupts. What he doesn't expect is that this will have to take a back seat to an extraordinary series of events that unfold as revenge for a long-concealed and ugly secret takes its tragic course. Just as the situation becomes critical, the Beast from the East roars in bringing chaos and Strang can do nothing but rage and wait for the thaw.