The Manchester Vendetta is set in Manchester, following Britain's political and economic decline. The electoral success of the far right National Party under President Hartmann and the establishment of a totalitarian regime provoke an uprising against the new government's oppressive policies, resulting in the destruction of the city centre and violent retribution against the local population. A battle of wits is fought between the head of the internal security Max Boyston and the divisional engineer for the city centre Guy Manners, who ruthlessly seeks retribution for the death of his wife and family. A dangerous cat and mouse game is played against the background of the city's highways and underground network of sewers, an escape to the island of Anglesey and nail biting helicopter chase of Guy and his girlfriend Julie.