The body of Joanna Franks was found at Duke's Cut on the Oxford Canal at about 5:30am on Wednesday, 22nd June 1859.
At around 10:15am on a Saturday morning in 1989 the body of Chief Inspector Morse (though very much alive) was removed to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. Treatment for a perforated ulcer was later pronounced successful.
As Morse begins his recovery he comes across an account of the investigation and trial which followed Joanna Franks' death . . .
. . . and becomes convinced that the two men who were hanged for the murder of Joanna Franks were innocent . . .