***** S12E01 Near Death Experience
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A masked killer breaks into a home, savagely murdering a mother, Helen Croft, and wounding her teenage daughter, Lucy, before fleeing. Frost is sent to investigate after the bodies are found by a priest, Father David Rose (Danny Webb), who explains Helen had been excoummincated from the church. Frost and Detective Sergeant "Razor" Sharpe (Philip Jackson) lead the investigation, and psychological profiler Dr. Martine Phillips surmises they are dealing with a serial killer who derives sexual gratification from killing. A national search identifies five other similar murders in which the victims match a specific profile. Helen's autopsy reveals she had aborted a child several weeks earlier, casting suspicion on her alcoholic ex-boyfriend, Steve Markham (Jeff Rawle), and Frost discovers that her sister, Sylvia Ford (Lia Williams), is having an affair with Rose. After another victim is found, Frost deduces that Helen was trying to indicate who killed her by reaching for her locket, which was a gift from Sylvia's religious husband, Bill (Mick Ford), and purchased from Markham.

Frost identifies the next victim after realising that when Bill earlier recited a quote from Matthew 5:16, he was egotistically giving him a clue in the belief Frost would not understand it. The police catch Bill in the act and arrest him. He explains to Frost his hatred for women, who did not appreciate his apparent good nature and kindness, so he decided to show them what a man can do. He admits he targeted Helen because she chose someone like Markham over him.

Throughout the case, Frost feels guilty after Toolan is badly injured while helping prevent a suicide. Toolan's wife expresses her dislike for Frost, stating that it is his unorthodox methods which often put Toolan at risk.