 Rachel Mortimer ( Amanda Root  (qv)), a clever, successful London barrister avails herself of the opportunity to travel to Wales to defend a case. There she again meets the local coroner Pugh ( Windsor Davies  (qv)), her old friend and mentor who taught her the law many years previously. Unknown to her Pugh is near death and secretly wants her to take over his job and tries very subtley to persuade her. In court Rachel wins her case and destroys the career of constable Gwil Humphries ( Nicholas McGaughey  (qv)) in the process. Many weeks later when Rachel returns to Wales for Pugh s funeral she applies for the vacant coroner s job and is accepted. Pugh left his house and housekeeper Mrs. Morgan ( Gwenyth Petty  (qv)) to Rachel in his will and Gwil, in an attempt to rebuild his shattered career, becomes her coroner s officer.