Lord Peregrine Templeton-Horsburgh, more commonly known as Lord Horsburgh, is in charge of an organisation simply called The Club. For their own reasons, the members of The Club feel that they have to make sure that the English public takes a more jaundiced view of Irish Republicanism. Lord Horsburgh, therefore, uses blackmail to force the Provisional IRA into pursuing a bombing campaign in England. Bernadette Murray, meanwhile, an eleven-year-old girl, who lives in Derry, loses her parents in the Troubles. She is sent to an orphanage, where she and the other girls are subjected to regular sexual abuse at the hands of politicians, businessmen and celebrities. While most girls retreat into themselves, Bernadette nurses her anger and is determined to get her revenge, no matter how long it takes.From 1972 up to the present time, we follow the stories of Bernadette and the Horsburgh family, which, unknown to them, are intertwined. They are also intimately connected to the massive abuse of children throughout the UK. Political chicanery and murder play their part as the Horsburghs fight to maintain their position in society and Bernadette seeks vengeance.