In 1998 the Good Friday Agreement brings peace to Northern Ireland for the first time in decades, but few believe it will last. In truth the institutions now tasked with keeping the peace were part of the problem, not lease the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), the Northern Irish police force. Many blame the RUC for pushing Catholics into a corner and forcing them to conclude that the IRA was their only hope of justice.
Years of festering rancour and resentment force the hand of the newly formed Northern Irish Executive. They respond by establishing the Police Service of Northern Ireland (OSNI), which promises to be a more diverse, transparent and fair force. Suddenly there are opportunities for ambitious young Catholics within law enforcement, and Caroline Clarke is determined to rise through the ranks and prove her mettle, despite her family’s links to the IRA. She quickly develops an impressive battery of deadly skills, from unarmed combat to knife fighting and shooting.
After a hostage rescue attempt goes badly wrong. Caroline joins the PSNI’s cold case division, and before long she’s relying on her skills for survival. But perhaps her most valuable skill is her ability to collaborate like a pro, especially with the Garda Síochána, the Irish police force. It quickly becomes obvious to Caroline that … divided we fail.