The body of Dr Felix McClure, Ancient History don of Wolsey College, Oxford, is found in his flat.

The case leads Morse into the path of Edward Brooks, who himself disappears following a museum theft.

Julia seduced a student, Kevin Costyn, into breaking into the museum case so the theft would be discovered.

The adaptation is largely faithful but the character of Ellie, renamed Kay in the adaptation which is her working name in the novel, is considerably sanitised, with her status as a prostitute turned to a high-class escort and her flirting with Morse, history of abuse and miscarriage omitted.

The ending is changed, with Julia leaving behind a note taking full responsibility for Brooks' murder and Morse and Lewis unable to prove Brenda and Kay were involved.