Overview

Twenty years on from the events of his debut case, auctioneer Rilke returns in Glasgow’s changed landscape. A tip-off about a house clearance leads to a dead friend, a mysterious estate and a tangled web of trafficking, degradation and power. Rilke must decide whether truth is worth the cost when the law turns a blind eye.

Writing & Voice

Welsh writes with her signature blend of noir grit and literary polish—her prose sharp, observant, tinged with irony. The voice is clearly measured: Rilke’s self-aware narration mixes cynicism and longing. The modern Glasgow setting feels real yet haunted by past tensions, giving the story a restless energy despite its calm surface.

Characters

Rilke is older, still elegant and still restless; he still sees the underbelly others overlook. His friend Jojo’s death draws him back into the world he thought he’d left behind. Alongside him are Rose Bowery, the auction house leader, and Les, an extravagant character who reminds the city—and Rilke—that visibility and history remain contested. Their relationships pulse with complexity and vulnerability.

Themes

Change and continuity sit at the novel’s core: Glasgow has shifted, society has shifted, but some patterns endure. Welsh explores sexual visibility, exploitation, trafficking, aging and memory. The auction house becomes a metaphor for clearance—of houses, of lives, of secrets—and the question remains: once something’s cut, what’s left behind?

What Worked

• Strong sense of place: Glasgow feels living, layered, unsettled.
• Bold protagonist: Rilke retains his appeal, depth and moral complexity.
• Thematic resonance: The novel tackles exploitation and identity with quiet precision.

Minor Quibbles

• The plot’s multiple strands can feel loosely connected, requiring patience.
• The pace rarely rushes, meaning readers expecting high adrenaline might find it slower-burn.

Final Thoughts

With grace and edge, The Second Cut re-introduces Rilke to a city both familiar and foreign—part glamour, part debris. Welsh charts change without illusions, crafting a noir that sees the seams in society and still wonders why some lives slip through them.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)