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alireads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lorna's review against another edition
5.0
Less of a gap before the next Rilke book, please.
Received from Netgalley, but forgot about it, bought the paperback and audio.
Received from Netgalley, but forgot about it, bought the paperback and audio.
mjoneillknowledge's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
tomwbrass's review against another edition
3.5
Not as Bleak or horny as the first book but still very very good
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
Didn't really get into this one. Not sure if I needed to read the previous book first.
burbs's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
3.75
Another tightly-plotted slice of noir from Louise Welsh. Great to have Rilke back again - such a compelling character.
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
5.0
In this long-awaited sequel to Louise Welsh's debut novel, Rilke is still working the same job at a Glasgow auction house, he's still picking up men, but using Grindr instead of wandering through parks late at night, but he's a little older and showing his age. When the auction house is offered the job of clearing a large house in the country, they jump on the chance and are even willing to ignore a few things that might give a more reputable firm pause. But as the indications that something is wrong pile up, Rilke goes digging, even as he also gets involved in settling the affairs of one of their long-time customers.
If you liked The Cutting Room, you'll like the sequel, which generally follows the same path. It was a little unclear as to when this book takes place; the world has moved on a few decades, but the characters are only a handful of years older. But that's a minor quibble, when it's such a treat to just spend more time with Rilke and Welsh's gritty, hardscrabble version of Glasgow. This is a fantastic noir, filled with bad men, innocents led astray, dark dealings, human trafficking and, best of all, Les is still out there, living his fabulous life.
If you liked The Cutting Room, you'll like the sequel, which generally follows the same path. It was a little unclear as to when this book takes place; the world has moved on a few decades, but the characters are only a handful of years older. But that's a minor quibble, when it's such a treat to just spend more time with Rilke and Welsh's gritty, hardscrabble version of Glasgow. This is a fantastic noir, filled with bad men, innocents led astray, dark dealings, human trafficking and, best of all, Les is still out there, living his fabulous life.
angelfish257's review against another edition
5.0
I remember reading The Cutting Room when it first came out, and being completely blown away. I had always wondered what happened to Rilke and the rest at Bowery Auctions - this does not disappoint!
We meet the gang again after 20 years and times have changed - some things more than others. Louise writes skillfully and really brings to life her characters in a believable way, you can feel the love for the city closely intertwined in everything that takes place - good and bad.
When RIlke's friend Jojo is found dead unexpectedly in decidedly shady circumstances, Rilke is determined to get to the bottom of what actually happened. He gets help from unlikely places an hindered by expected and also unexpected sources. The story is dark and gritty, fast-paced, tense - a real page turner that still has that dry Glasgow humour throughout. Highly recommend!
We meet the gang again after 20 years and times have changed - some things more than others. Louise writes skillfully and really brings to life her characters in a believable way, you can feel the love for the city closely intertwined in everything that takes place - good and bad.
When RIlke's friend Jojo is found dead unexpectedly in decidedly shady circumstances, Rilke is determined to get to the bottom of what actually happened. He gets help from unlikely places an hindered by expected and also unexpected sources. The story is dark and gritty, fast-paced, tense - a real page turner that still has that dry Glasgow humour throughout. Highly recommend!
doobyus's review against another edition
4.0
Just excellent. A sequel (twenty years in the making) that is, if anything, better than the original.
geckoedit's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0