Steve Dark is in retirement. Two years ago, as a member of elite crime squad Special Circs, he came close to putting an end to a psychopath's killing spree. But not close enough.

In revenge, the killer destroyed Dark's family. Dark quit, vowing that he'd never go back. He'd seen enough carnage and death.

But now the killer's back. The same psychopath who has shot, raped, maimed, poisoned, burned, strangled and tortured 50 people - the man who took away Dark's family. And Special Circs are convinced that only Dark can stop him.

Is Dark prepared to risk everything - his new life - to once more hunt a monster?