Helen West, Crown prosecutor in domestic violence court, is working up a good case of burnout: justice-by-the-book doesn't seem to be working for the women she represents. Plus, Helen's love affair with Police Superintendent Geoffrey Bailey is losing its fire. Things suddenly heat up when Helen learns that humble Cath, her cleaning woman, is being beaten by her husband. Cath has no family-her beautiful brother, Damien, has recently been brutally murdered-and needs all the help she can get. But as the truth of Cath's young life, marriage, and her brother's murder begin to take shape, help and justice seem hard to come by . . . and may prove forever beyond reach.