A sharp detective with a messy life, DCI Vera Stanhope patrols her “patch” of northeast England, pursuing the truth in cases of murder, kidnapping, and blackmail. Vera is obsessive about her work and faces the world with caustic wit, guile and courage.

Return to the world of Panem 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

Count Alexander Rostov finds himself going from riches to rags following the Russian revolution. A Soviet tribunal banishes him to the attic room of an opulent hotel, where, oblivious to the world outside, he discovers the true value of friendship, family and love.

Ann Ming is distraught when her 22-year-old daughter Julie goes missing. The police suggest that Julie must have fled to London to reunite with Julie's estranged husband, but Ann knows that Julie would never leave 5-year-old Kevin behind.

On the streets of London, young runaway Sophie finds her tribe amidst the darkness and begins to reclaim her sense of self.