Slaughter in the Sapperton Tunnel

In 1862, a goods train derails after colliding with a pen of sheep near the Sapperton Tunnel, resulting in severe injuries to the passengers and the loss of the animals. Inspector Colbeck is called to investigate the strange incident, compounded by the mysterious disappearance of the shepherd and his dog. As tensions rise for sheep owner Stephen Rydall, a key shareholder in the Great Western Railway, Colbeck uncovers a web of family grievances, secrets, and village feuds that complicate the case. The quest for answers reveals that someone may have a vendetta against Rydall or the missing shepherd, making this investigation far from straightforward.