
In the small north eastern town of Mauberge in France, Christine is violently assaulted on her way to work early one morning.

In 1996, investigating judge Irene realises that a case she has been assigned has striking similarities with others, and that a thorough investigation is imperative.

In 2003, the mayor of a small town on the Sambre is horrified to learn one of her employees has been raped. She cajoles the victim into attending a press conference.

In 2007, following a series of rapes committed on the other side of the border, a university researcher is tasked with trying to analyse where the rapist might live.