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Content snapshot
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Violence
Some
Violence in the context of police work; child abuse is a subject of investigation
Language
A lot
Strong language throughout in Welsh's characteristic Scots-English register
Sexual Content
Some
Adult content; the investigation involves child sexual abuse
Substance Use
A lot
Significant cocaine use by the protagonist and alcohol throughout
Emotional Intensity
Very heavy
A detective investigating child abuse while suppressing his own childhood trauma creates extreme psychological intensity
What this book is about
Irvine Welsh's novel follows DS Ray Lennox, who has traveled to Miami for rest after a breakdown, and finds himself drawn into the investigation of a child predator. Welsh — known for Trainspotting's raw depiction of addiction — writes Lennox as a man haunted by his own childhood trauma, held together by cocaine and sheer will. The subject matter (child sexual abuse) is handled with more restraint than Welsh's most extreme work, but the emotional brutality is considerable. Strong language and substance use throughout.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Child sexual abuse as subject of investigation
Protagonist's suppressed trauma
Heavy substance use
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