An old woman lies dying by the side of the road. Sutherland knows his way of life is at stake.
The new Depute Fiscal in the town of Glendoran conducts a Fatal Accident Enquiry. But did Ian Campbell fall accidentally from the deck of the fishing boat 'Alert' or will the Court find a murderer among the witnesses? Will Sutherland have to admit that blood is sometimes not as thick as water?
Why should a beautiful girl be running through a wood in the middle of the night carrying a 12 lb. salmon? And who shot her?
What matters more - that justice should be served or that a whole town should be ruined? Sutherland has to decide whether the Law serves the people or the people serve the Law.
Who is 'The Milkie'? Why was he trying to get to Glendoran? And who was chasing him?
Why has Stella Ross returned to Glendoran? Who is threatening her life? And what can Sutherland do to prevent a second tragedy in her life?
A valuable pendant is the first link in a chain which takes Sutherland all around the world to end where he started.
With the best intentions Christine tries to help young Mary Campbell. And puts the girl in terrible danger.
A man is dead. Why? Sutherland and Duthie have to climb a killer mountain to find the truth. And the last time Sutherland climbed there was a terrible tragedy.
Sutherland becomes involved in a vendetta and has a hard choice to make when the hunter becomes the hunted.
Speaking Gaelic, building a house and shooting at a rabbit on land can land you in the High Court. Or so one old man finds out. Sutherland finds himself dealing with the spirit of the '45.
A young delinquent sets fire to a local petrol station. In order to present the full case Sutherland finds himself not only prosecuting but defending as well.
What is the difference between killing and murder? The soldier and the poisoner both know, but Sutherland has the most difficult decision of his career to make.
The power of the sea should never be taken lightly. When a notorious whirlpool claims several lives it's important for Sutherland to lay the blame on the right shoulders.
When a respectable woman, a personal friend of Sutherland's, is arrested for shoplifting it soon becomes evident that vital information is being withheld. Why?
A twenty year old murder still casts a long shadow. Especially when the son of the convicted murderer throws doubts on the infallibility of the Law.
When a trawler skipper is beaten up and doesn't lay a complaint, Dr. Roberts is intrigued. So is Sutherland.
A guilty boy is allowed to go free and Sutherland's professional problems clash with some deeply personal ones. The outcome could well change his life.
A light aircraft engages in some dangerous stunt flying and the pilot is killed. Accident or murder?
Who or what caused the death of Ian Mackay? Whatever the answer there are problems for the widow, the business partner and, Sutherland discovers, the insurance man.
A woman is found dead by the roadside. Is she the victim of a hit and run driver - or of a murderer?
""See for yourself, sir - you were booked in as a single. Mrs. Shaw wasn't with you, sir. You were alone.""
""I simply said every time we run into the Reverend Mr. McNeill he glares at us. As if we're living in sin because HE didn't marry us!""
""It shouldn't be there. There comes a time in the life of gelignite when it loses its sense of humour.""
""Yes. I can't be sure, but it looks as though one of them must have found out about me.""
""You believed those two men came from the Water Board, so you let them in...!""
""David, I think I've put my foot in it. But what IS Mr. Sutherland doing in Edinburgh?""
""Still and all, why would somebody be on the river signalling at that time of night?""
""There's not much I can tell you - except that a very likeable police officer seems to have got himself into considerable trouble.""
""Ten to one it's grisly. They seem to reserve those for the small hours!""
""The poor wee soul's dead. An inquiry isn't going to help her.""
""Fallon doesn't represent anyone unless he's asked for. McKinney didn't ask for him, so who did?""
""We're enquiring into the theft of a cheque book and a bank card, Mrs. Sutherland. We'd be glad if you could help us with information.""
""It seems to me that this Jacob's Ladder is very steep, very difficult and damned dangerous!""
""Forsyth walked to a phone box himself to dial 999. He was alone when an ambulance got there. He claimed last night he was the driver - but he wasn't!""
""A fire can smoulder for hours before it... becomes a fire, so to speak.""
""A little genteel courtship, and then he decamps with every penny he can lay his hands on!""
""No, no, Mrs. Sutherland. I don't feel the same about human beings as I do about horses.""
""Funny, isn't it? They wear their hats - we take ours off!""
""There's no way we can get around the fact that the gun was fired - in the direction of another person!""
""All the same, would you not agree that he's got too much power? As a Fiscal, I mean.""
