A Skinhead classic in the tradition of the great Richard Allen novels, and the second book in Ska Child's prolific writing career.

The Youth

Fighter, lover, musician; 18-year old Mark Heaney walks the skinhead path and faces and faces trouble head on. He'll rumble if you cross him, he'll steal your girlfriend if you turn your back, and as the lead singer of a ska band known as the Juice Monkey's, he'll set your nightclub on fire.

It all changes however, when marks father loses his job, and Mark sees no choice but to join the army to help support his large family. He leaves high school in the final year and is trained as a medic within the Canadian army. Later as his service time increases, Mark finds himself Para qualified and is attached to the Canadian Airborne Regiment. He sees action on battlefields and in bedrooms around the world until, after six years later, he becomes a man in all senses of the word.

The Man

With his father dying after a tragic work site accident, Mark decides to return home to his home turf in order to assist his mother in raising the rest of the family. Working as an ambulance paramedic in Vancouver's skid row opens his eyes even further to life on the street. It helps to pay the bills to some degree but it's usually only a part time job that is incredibly stressful and thankless. The only consolation is meeting Terri Battle who is one of the pretty waitresses at his favorite venue and drinking spot - the Skavoovee tavern. It's not long before Mark is working there himself as an assistant manager.

Skavoovee

It's the tavern where Terri works. It's where Marks band got its first start and his father's best friend owns the joint. It's home to so many of the cities subcultures - including skinhead and rockabilly types, and Mark is proud to call it his second home.

But one night when a bunch of American Skinhead wannabe's try to cause trouble in the tavern as they hide out from the American police, Mark makes a point to voice his displeasure and sends several of them to hospital.

In revenge, the boneheads from down south make it a priority to get back at Mark by kidnapping his younger sister and savagely assault her; dumping her battered body in an alley not to far away from the Skavoovee tavern for all eyes to see.

If that's not enough, the war that has now been declared tries to take Terri in as a further victim.

Will Mark Heaney survive this war? Will his commando friends be able to track him down in time or will he go it alone and take on those who would hurt his heart so deeply by himself?