Having faced his murderous father at the end of Crow Bait , Davie McCall now finds himself leading a normal life, but always on edge, ready for trouble. When Dickie Himes is killed, war breaks out in the likes of which Glasgow has not seen in years and Davie is caught in the middle of something he never wanted. Police are investigating the murder, but justice is blind and coppers can be bought. Haunted by his past and knowing that the darkness is in him, Davie must overcome not only the brutal Jarvis clan, but also himself. When a war is raging, no one is safe and Davie McCall has a target on his back.