Reviews

The Long Knives by Irvine Welsh

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angus_mckeogh's review against another edition

3.0

A clash between the haves and the have nots. This novel written from the perspective of a police detective demonstrates the battle between the split in the justice system. One set of rules for the average person, and an entirely different set of rules for the rich, the famous, the powerful, and the politicians. This dichotomy still exists and appears to just become more and more entrenched as time goes by. Average effort for a Welsh novel.

ashleywatt's review

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dark mysterious 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

3.75

wintrovia's review against another edition

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2.0

This story about a police detective tracking down someone that has carried out a particularly nasty murder has Irvine Welsh's usual unpleasantness but it lacks the fun and charm that his novels usually have. It's very serious and at times a drag to read, where typically his books are filled with larger-than-life characters that keep the momentum of the story going. The subject matter of the story also made it gruelling at times, touching on themes of abuse and psychological pain that reverberates from childhood into adult life. There were also some trans issues raised but the topic felt to be handled a bit ham-fistedly at times and also possibly a bit tacked on just so a current social issue could be included in the story. There's not a lot technically wrong with this book but I found it hard to enjoy anyway, which is a shame as I've loved most of Welsh's previous work.

gerbenletzer's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-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? It's complicated

3.0

jayneyh314's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The second instalment in the “Crime” Trilogy sees DI Ray Lennox back in Edinburgh, still engaged to Trudi and investigating the brutal murder of local MP, Ritchie Gulliver. Gulliver was not well liked. He was viscous, racist and corrupt but few could have seen his demise coming the way it did, castrated and left to bleed to death in a Leith warehouse. The list of suspects is long and the more Ray digs the murkier the picture becomes.

I love Welsh’s writing and Ray Lennox is fast becoming a favourite character. He’s a deeply flawed man but he is trying to be better and he’s not had the easiest life. This second instalment in the trilogy touches mostly on the case that he had worked before his Miami trip from “Crime” as well as his own traumatic childhood. It definitely helps to have read “Crime” first but it wouldn’t be a huge problem if you haven’t.

I also loved seeing a little cameo from a certain Sick Boy! Wasn’t expecting that at all and was a really nice touch. I love when books have little links for the fans, without it making the book unreadable for newcomers.

This whole trilogy so far has been tackling the difficult subject of child sexual abuse, which obviously could be very triggering for some so please be mindful of that when choosing whether to read or not. It’s not gratuitous but Welsh doesn’t shy away from telling things the way they are.

There were a few twists along the way in this one as well, some of which I saw coming and some not, which I love.

I think I have an idea as to where the Trilogy is heading but I’m very much looking forward to the journey and can’t wait for the final part to be released!

Couldn’t fault this one at all.

ionizemyatoms's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.25

elliethecatlover's review

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Interesting plot, with a lot of reflection on themes such as victimhood and the morality of the police. My main issue was that the protagonist was so unlikeable, I found it hard to root for him or his actions.

Content Warnings