An young trophy wife from the Clydeside sailing fraternity is murdered and the victim's husband falls under suspicion, but then two more bodies turn up it is clear they are searching for a different killer. Meanwhile, Burke is reunited with an old flame.
An unpopular restaurant critic is found murdered in his kitchen, and a petty thief linked to the crime scene becomes the prime suspect. But it soon turns out that he had a secret life - and that the killer has only just started.
A student is found dead in an alley, and evidence suggests that it was a drug deal that turned violent. They soon discover that the victim has links with a parish priest, who seems to have a lot more to hide than the sanctity of the confessional. The case soon becomes more complicated when a second murder occurs.
Burke is shot whilst taking a break from work, and on the same day, another fraud squad detective's body is found by a colleague. When both victims' properties are searched, large amounts of cash are found, leading to fears of bribery. With Burke's reputation and life on the line, the race is on to find the perpetrator.
Burke investigates a copycat killing inspired by a murder committed 20 years ago. With the help of celebrated pathologist Irene Russell, he attempts to solve the case before the killer claims more victims. As the case continues, it appears that the ultimate target may be someone at the heart of the investigation
The team investigate the suspicious death of an army recruit at a training camp. D.I. Robbie Ross goes undercover in an attempt to understand the mentality of the regime that teaches young men to kill or be killed - before other deaths occur.
The team investigate the seemingly motiveless murder of a mechanic. Suspicion soon falls on his business partner, Tony Benton, but it turns out that Benton was in fact the intended victim.
When a research student is found dead in a university science lab following a severe anaphylactic shock, the evidence suggests that her food has been deliberately contaminated. Traces of highly concentrated nut oil are found at the scene, but there seems to be no clear motive for her murder. Then another student dies in a suspicious accident the following day and Burke and the team realise that a calculating killer is at work within the university.
