The ambitious and flawed John Deed has made many enemies during his career both as a QC and as a judge on the High Court bench. While presiding over a murder trial, Deed comes to suspect that it is a vindictive politician who should be in the dock for the crime. As he investigates this avenue, powerful people in government conspire to create the opportunity to pull him down once and for all. Deed's persistence in trying to get at the truth brings threats both to him and his on-off lover, Jo Mills QC, and he then finds himself accused of a heinous crime. As circumstantial evidence piles against him, soon there is little help for Deed either from friends or colleagues. At last his enemies see a way of settling old scores and he must face his greatest challenge ever.