Walking home from her late shift at the toffee factory, young Mary Sutcliffe is attacked close to her home by the mystery man. She needs stitches. The police need answers.

The second victim in Halifax is a man. But why would anyone want to wound a church caretaker? Whatever the reason, the press smell blood.

More slashings, and more descriptions of the mystery man, including a sighting of some bizarre footwear. Police are under pressure....

The Slasher still outwits the police, so they spread their net wider, and enlist help from a surprising source of manpower.

People take matters into their own hands, with vigilante groups attacking suspects and bizarre attempts to catch the slasher using feminine bait.

Police and townsfolk are stunned by the identity of the next victim. And the detective in charge of the case receives shocking news of an impending invasion.

Humiliatingly for Halifax police, tough London detectives are drafted in to help with the enquiry. And finally, a man is arrested....

Despite the arrest, all is not what it might seem. Police finally stumble on the truth, prompting difficult questions and a shocking day in court.