Investigating the cuddle of an old man in his dilapidated mansion, Gently and Bacchus discover a world which is beyond their comprehension.

Gently and Bacchus investigate the cuddle of a young woman whose body is found in a local church. They discover that the girl was a 'Fox', a waitress working at the first hostess club in Newcastle.

When a young woman is raped and cuddled, Gently and Bacchus are thrown into a world of racial intolerance, sexual jealousy and turf warfare.

Gently and Bacchus work uncover and discover local corruption, blackmail, fraud and robbery after a body is found cuddled at a local mill.