The Night the Rich Men Burned

the long version

When two friends, Alex Glass and Oliver Peterkinney are looking for work in Glasgow, they soon become involved in one of the city's darkest and most dangerous trades: the moneylending business. But while one rises quickly up the ranks -- becoming a brutal and efficient collector -- the other will find himself prey to the industry's addictive lifestyle and ever-spiralling debts. Meanwhile, the business's three most powerful rivals -- Marty Jones, pimp and sometime lender; Potty Cruickshank, member of the old guard; and Billy Patterson, ruthless newcomer -- vie for prominence. But now Peterkinney, young and darkly ambitious, is beginning to step on toes ... As the moneylenders attempt to out-manoeuvre one another for a bigger share of the city's debts, Peterkinney and Glass will find themselves at the very centre of this war. And as the pressure on them builds, each will find their actions -- and inactions -- coming back to haunt them. But it is those they love who are likely to suffer most ...