DI Adam Stark has left London and returned to his home town of Alloa. He’s decided to stop scrambling up the career ladder and spend more time with his Ma - lead a quieter life. Stella McDuff has won millions on the lottery. All her prayers have been answered. She can escape to London and reunite with her estranged son; leave her humdrum life and her brutish husband, Billy, behind … forever. Stella is rich and her freedom is within reach, but she’s attracted the wrong sort of attention. Someone else wants her money and they’re going to try and force her to part with it. Stark knows the McDuffs well. Billy and his brother Malky are arch-enemies from childhood. They’re far from pleased to see him return and, before long, Stark is dealing with long-held grudges, missing persons, kidnap, ransom and murder. So much for the quiet life back home. Be careful what you wish for …