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scott_you_reading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
modub's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Excellent follow up of the Cutting Room. A real page turner about the Glaswegian gay scene, 20 years after the first book was written.
tdk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't read the first novel by this author but I had no issue with this one.
Dark, twisty, and gritty. An excellent storytelling kept me hooked and the grim description of the setting were fascinating.
I will surely read other novels by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Dark, twisty, and gritty. An excellent storytelling kept me hooked and the grim description of the setting were fascinating.
I will surely read other novels by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
readerlas's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
travelsalongmybookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
The Second Cut - Louise Welsh
‘Scotland isn’t The Wire.’
Auctioneer Rilke has been trying to stay out of trouble, keeping his life more or less respectable. Business has been slow at Bowery Auctions, so when an old friend, Jojo, gives Rilke a tip-off for a house clearance, life seems to be looking up. The next day Jojo washes up dead.
Jojo liked Grindr hook-ups and recreational drugs - is that the reason the police won't investigate? And if Rilke doesn't find out what happened to Jojo, who will?
I can soundly say I enjoyed this. Sharp, gritty and witty, my attention was rapidly caught. I loved the characters and although we are delving into Glasgow’s dark side there is still some lightness to it - Les made me laugh and Rose was fabulous too. These side characters really made the book for me. Rilke is a great character, sardonic, smart and a bit world weary, I could feel his eye rolls as he ends up embroiled in finding out what happened to his mate JoJo, found dead in a Glasgow doorway.
‘Perhaps I had gained a knack because the second cut was quicker.’
This was a darkly thrilling and atmospheric novel, it just winds up and up as Rilke gets embroiled deeper and deeper in something murky happening under the radar.
There are drugs, people trafficking and we go from illegal parties and Grindr hook ups to country house auctions and as Rilke digs deeper he finds himself up to his neck in trouble.
Honestly My heart was in my mouth at the end, a slow burn that caught fire for me - very good indeed! Not for the feint hearted and with a twist I did not see coming this was a cracking read!
✩✩✩✩
Thanks to Canongate books for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
‘Scotland isn’t The Wire.’
Auctioneer Rilke has been trying to stay out of trouble, keeping his life more or less respectable. Business has been slow at Bowery Auctions, so when an old friend, Jojo, gives Rilke a tip-off for a house clearance, life seems to be looking up. The next day Jojo washes up dead.
Jojo liked Grindr hook-ups and recreational drugs - is that the reason the police won't investigate? And if Rilke doesn't find out what happened to Jojo, who will?
I can soundly say I enjoyed this. Sharp, gritty and witty, my attention was rapidly caught. I loved the characters and although we are delving into Glasgow’s dark side there is still some lightness to it - Les made me laugh and Rose was fabulous too. These side characters really made the book for me. Rilke is a great character, sardonic, smart and a bit world weary, I could feel his eye rolls as he ends up embroiled in finding out what happened to his mate JoJo, found dead in a Glasgow doorway.
‘Perhaps I had gained a knack because the second cut was quicker.’
This was a darkly thrilling and atmospheric novel, it just winds up and up as Rilke gets embroiled deeper and deeper in something murky happening under the radar.
There are drugs, people trafficking and we go from illegal parties and Grindr hook ups to country house auctions and as Rilke digs deeper he finds himself up to his neck in trouble.
Honestly My heart was in my mouth at the end, a slow burn that caught fire for me - very good indeed! Not for the feint hearted and with a twist I did not see coming this was a cracking read!
✩✩✩✩
Thanks to Canongate books for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘Some things change, some things never change.’
Rilke is the chief auctioneer for the Bowery Auctions in Glasgow. Business has been slow recently, so when his old friend Jojo gives him a tip about a house clearance, Rilke is pleased. He was less pleased to see Jojo looking like a wreck. Both men are aged over sixty, but while Rilke has given up most of his vices, Jojo has continued his path of excessive drinking, drug use and risky participation in Glasgow’s gay community. And, the very next day when Jojo is found dead, the police do not seem interested in investigating. They see Jojo’s death as a logical consequence of his lifestyle choices. Rilke is not satisfied. Jojo’s apartment includes a large cache of drugs, and a young housemate who insists that Rilke help him arrange a decent send-off for Jojo.
In the meantime, Rilke investigates the house clearance Jojo alerted him too. The house is packed with antiques, and the auction house stands to make a lot of money.
So, there is Rilke, arranging a send-off for Jojo and inventorying the contents of the house. Arranging Jojo’s send-off results in a dangerous obligation to a Glasgow mobster. And, as Rilke soon finds out, there is danger associated with the auction as well.
Well, what an interesting character Rilke is. I need to read the first book in this series to learn more about him. He has his own code of honour, one which leads him into danger. This is a gritty thriller and I recommend it.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Rilke is the chief auctioneer for the Bowery Auctions in Glasgow. Business has been slow recently, so when his old friend Jojo gives him a tip about a house clearance, Rilke is pleased. He was less pleased to see Jojo looking like a wreck. Both men are aged over sixty, but while Rilke has given up most of his vices, Jojo has continued his path of excessive drinking, drug use and risky participation in Glasgow’s gay community. And, the very next day when Jojo is found dead, the police do not seem interested in investigating. They see Jojo’s death as a logical consequence of his lifestyle choices. Rilke is not satisfied. Jojo’s apartment includes a large cache of drugs, and a young housemate who insists that Rilke help him arrange a decent send-off for Jojo.
In the meantime, Rilke investigates the house clearance Jojo alerted him too. The house is packed with antiques, and the auction house stands to make a lot of money.
So, there is Rilke, arranging a send-off for Jojo and inventorying the contents of the house. Arranging Jojo’s send-off results in a dangerous obligation to a Glasgow mobster. And, as Rilke soon finds out, there is danger associated with the auction as well.
Well, what an interesting character Rilke is. I need to read the first book in this series to learn more about him. He has his own code of honour, one which leads him into danger. This is a gritty thriller and I recommend it.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
booksandbadironing's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t usually read crime/thriller novels but thought I’d try this one, as I’d heard good things about Louise Welsh’s The Cutting Room. It was a great well written read!
It takes place in Glasgow in the violent underbelly of the city. Rilke, an auctioneer, is our flawed, witty narrator, getting on in years but always keen for a hookup on Grindr. The plot starts with the death of one of his acquaintances who’s also a client. And off we go! It tackles some difficult issues: people trafficking, drugs, alcohol, and rough sleeping. There’s brutality, orgies, gangsters and the LGBTQ+ community.
I did feel it was a bit over long but it’s gritty, funny, sharp and the storytelling is excellent.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All views are my own.
It takes place in Glasgow in the violent underbelly of the city. Rilke, an auctioneer, is our flawed, witty narrator, getting on in years but always keen for a hookup on Grindr. The plot starts with the death of one of his acquaintances who’s also a client. And off we go! It tackles some difficult issues: people trafficking, drugs, alcohol, and rough sleeping. There’s brutality, orgies, gangsters and the LGBTQ+ community.
I did feel it was a bit over long but it’s gritty, funny, sharp and the storytelling is excellent.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All views are my own.
bettylooksatbooks's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0