Forensic scientist Dr. Edwin Lorrimer is murdered. Detective Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh is assigned the case, having recently investigated another killing in the area.
Roy Marsden - Adam Dalgliesh Barry Foster - Dr. Maxim Howarth Geoffrey Palmer - Dr. Edwin Lorrimer Ray Brooks - Dr. Henry Kerrison Andrew Ray - Clifford Bradley Malcolm Terris - DI Tom Doyle John Bryans - Chief Superintendent Mercer Ivor Roberts - Inspector Blakelock Valerie Testa - Claire Easterbrook Stephen Thorne - Paul Middlemass Wendy Gifford - Anne Kerrison Annabelle Lanyon - Nell Kerrison Chloe Franks - Brenda Pridmore Kate Lansbury - Mrs. Pridmore Jack Carr - Mr. Pridmore Maryann Turner - Mrs. Bidwell Patrick Field - Roy Sheridan Ball - Sue Bradley Peter Howell - Sir Charles Freeborn Allan Mitchell - Dr. Michael Woods Peter Forbes-Robertson - Chairman Margaret Lang - Woman Administrator Tony Sheene - Other Official Harold Woolnough - Other Official Barry Noble - Local Detective Julie Brown - Dead Girl John Vine - DI John Massingham Meg Davies - Domenica Howarth Brenda Blethyn - Angela Foley Fiona Walker - Stella Mawson, aka 'Star' Stacey Tendeter - Jean Dalgliesh Rhoda Lewis - Miss Willard Richard Beale - Mr. Bidwell Edgar Stokes - Scientist in Library Patrick Marley - Father Martin Annabelle Lanyon - Nell Kerrison Toby Scopes - William Kerrison
