Newly ordained vicar Stephen Capel takes a holiday in the seaside town of Brighton with his girlfriend, PC Vicky Denning. Taking a stroll on the beach, Capel sees a woman fall from the ruined pier. He rescues her, but discovers that she is dead - stabbed - and soon finds himself suspected of her murder.
Each day, as Capel tries to untangle himself from suspicion and Vicky attempts to discover who is behind the crimes, another woman dies. The race is on to prevent yet another death.