Life seems perfect in Valley Farm, a quiet community in Northumberland. Then a shocking discovery shatters the dream. The owners of a local country estate have employed a house-sitter, a young ecologist named Patrick, to look after the place while they're away. But Patrick is found dead by the side of the lane leading into the valley. DI Vera Stanhope arrives on the scene with her detectives, Holly and Joe. When they look around the big house Vera finds the body of a second man. All the two victims have in common is a fascination with moths - and with catching these beautiful, intriguing creatures. The others who live in the Valley Farm development have secrets too, and as Vera is drawn into the claustrophobic world of this increasingly strange community, she realizes that the secrets trapped here may be deadly . . .