When a man is found dead on the beach of Balford-le-nez, Barbara Havers (Sharon Small) offers to go there, since she has time off, and help out a friend investigating the murder. The victim is Hatham Kureshi, engaged to Shala Malik (Anjali Jay), whose father is a Pakistani businessman. It was an arranged marriage, and, in fact, Shala is pregnant by someone else, though she cannot tell her family.
Havers meets the family: Shala's brother Muneer (T.J. Ramini) is resentful that the victim was to take over the family business and not him, and that's why the marriage was arranged. A female friend of Shala's is pressuring her to take an apartment with her, and a young man in love with Shala is upset about the impending marriage. When it's learned that Hatham was gay and probably on the beach to meet a boyfriend, the situation really heats up. Due to a problem in the family of Lynley's new wife, Helen, Lynley (Nathaniel Parker) joins her in the investigation, back early from his honeymoon.
This is a very good episode and ends the second season with a real bang. The end scenes on the water are very tense.
Love the relationship between Lynley and Havers, and in this episode at least, Lynley doesn't lose his temper at her. Havers proves herself smart and determined to do the right thing, even if it means being reckless.
Really good, with everyone in top form.