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The Second Cut

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The Second Cut

By: Louise Welsh
Narrated by: Alan Cumming
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About this listen

The Times Crime Book of the Year

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?

Thrilling and atmospheric, The Second Cut delves into the dark side of twenty-first century Glasgow. Twenty years on from his appearance in The Cutting Room, Rilke is still walking a moral tightrope between good and bad, saint and sinner.

©202 Louise Welsh (P)2022 Canongate Books Ltd Crime Thrillers Literature & Fiction Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Thriller & Suspense Crime Thriller Fiction Suspense Exciting Mystery

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Critic reviews

"I doubt I'll read a better book this year." (Val McDermid)

"Compelling, immersive and brimming with life." (Graeme Macrae Burnet)
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What a joy! Alan Cumming's narration is really the star of this audiobook, not that I want to detract from the rollicking story. He gave each character a clear voice and used his accent to great effect, just a crackling brilliant narration. This was certainly a combination which engaged my attention, I found it really difficult to pause my listening.
Some of the language is on the over-ripe side but offensive words (and THE most offensive word) does somehow sound so much more satisfying when said in a Glaswegian accent, maybe it's because I'm from Glasgow?
The story was interesting, including some graphic descriptions of same-sex sexual activity, all new to me, but it's not salacious or titivating. The writing has some well-honed phrases which made me a laugh out loud, the bitchiness of some of the characters relatable and keenly observed.
This is the book which I've most enjoyed this year...well, maybe it's my second most enjoyed but it's certainly in my top two!

Fabulous narration - great story

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This is the second in Welsh’s books in the Cut series and it is a stonker. If you like your books dark with finely drawn characters and twisting and indeed twisted plots you will adore this. Alan Cumming does a superb job of bringing the novel to life. His characterisations really bring not just the characters but the whole of Glasgows dark side to vivid life.

Puts the Nòir into Tartan Nòir

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great to meet some of the same characters again and Alan Cummings brought them all to life so brilliantly

even better than the first book

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loved it! great story with depth and grit. the characters are so well developed I feel like i know them, they could be the mates i drink with or the guy sat at the next table in some pub down the merchant city.

Alan Cummings did the story justice, his preformance was flawless.

amazing!!

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This is a worthy follow up to The Cutting Room. Times have changed but Rilke remains constant. A cracking story and fantastic performance from Alan Cumming.

Great to have Rilke back again.

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Great Glasgow noir and it was good to see Rilke again. Pefect narrator in Alan Cumming.

Scottish noir

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Really enjoyed this audiobook. Louise Welsh writes beautifully and Alan Cumming narrates the story wonderfully well, bringing Rilke and all the other characters to life. One of the best narrators I’ve come across - on a par with Angus King.
Highly recommended.

Fabulous Glasgow crime caper

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Great, involved story. Read brilliantly by Alan Cummings. A new author for me five stars all round.

Loved it

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Loved this book and the excellent reading by Cummings. Welsh paints great characters from Glasgow, slightly grotesque but dramatic and compelling. Galloway is gorgeous by the way and it doesn’t rain all the time. Well almost.

Convincing characters

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Superb narration by Alan Cummings. The story sometimes felt a bit obvious and made the police ( scantily present) and our dynamic duo seem a bit incompetent. Not as dark as the first book. Worth a listen to

Alan Cummings brings this world alive

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