The murder of a beautiful heiress down a Cornish country lane in the late 1950s sparks an urgent hunt for a killer. Superintendent Robert Dale from the Murder squad and his sidekick, Detective Sergeant David Kingston are sent to help with the investigation by the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. It is clear from the outset that there are several suspects, and eventually an arrest is made and the alleged murderer put to trial. However, this is not brought about without various obstacles coming their way: jealous lovers, a crooked solicitor, trouble at a nearby gypsy encampment, illegal goings on at a local pub and a standing feud between two local farmers. After the jury's verdict, Dale has severe misgivings as to whether they have the right man, and it becomes a race against time if the wrong man is not to be hanged............