An environmentalist professor is mugged and later dies of a heart attack after an attack on campus just prior to a controversial debate.

The managing director and heir apparent to a venerable family-owned brewery in dire financial straits is found drowned in a vat of his own ale.

After two beautiful women are stabbed to death a month apart by the same killer, the only connection between the pair is their car dealership.

Morse finds himself framed for murder by an unknown mastermind and suspended as Lewis is seconded to DCI Bottomley, who is in charge of the case.