John Beckett is a man on the edge, he's successfully kept the chaos of his life in check and like anything with a precarious balance, one element can throw it all into disarray, the variable John Beckett never counted on; falling in love.
Into his life comes Paige Wells to whom he, at first, doesn't give a second thought. But Paige is determined and eventually Beck falls in love with her.
Into the mix comes Carolyn with whom he had a deep and tumultuous relationship, which ended when she was put in a mental hospital, for which Beck still harbors guilt. As Beck's and Paige's relationship advances, so does Beck's and Carolyn's.
As his life spirals out of control he tries to fill the void in his life, until he has to decide between life and death.