Set thirty years in the future the story centres round Holly Nelson. She discovers the murdered body of her neighbour, Fred Archer, and becomes entangled in solving the crime. While investigating, she loses her job and finds she's accused not only of this murder, but that of one of her friends too. As capital punishment has been reintroduced for murder, she is forced to run from the police. Continuing her investigation into Fred's death, she follows his involvement in weapons development and the private research he undertook into the consequences of the imminent fuel crisis. While uncertain how Fred's weapon might be used she believes the Government is intentionally doing nothing positive to prepare the country for life without oil or how this will affect food production and the water supply. With reluctant help from friends, Holly begins an underground campaign to increase public awareness of the potential fate of all. Taking up this dangerous unfamiliar role, Holly discovers people on both sides have different agenda and she makes friends and enemies in unlikely places. As the crisis comes to a head, Holly proposes an unprecedented solution which will lead to a complete change in society.