Questa serie segue gli intricati casi di un detective con sede a Glasgow, addentrandosi nelle crude realtà del lavoro di polizia e della condizione umana. I lettori vengono coinvolti in indagini complesse che spesso rispecchiano le lotte interiori del protagonista. È un'esplorazione avvincente della giustizia, della moralità e del costo personale dell'affrontare il crimine in un aspro paesaggio urbano.
"When a young woman is found brutally murdered on Glasgow Green, only Laidlaw stands a chance of finding her murderer from amongst the hard men, gangland villains and self-made moneymen who lurk in the city's shadows"--Publisher's description.
McIlvanney once again sets out on the dark side of Glasgow with Detective Jack Laidlaw. "The wine he gave me winsy wine" were the final words of Eck Adamson to Laidlaw, his only friend. Laidlaw is convinced the Eck was murdered and that an elusive young student, Tony Veitch, holds the key to the mystery.
Detective Inspector Jack Laidlaw blunders his way through ruined lives and frustrated relationships investigating his brother's murder and a drug pusher in Glasgow.