In the shadowy corners of Glasgow, auctioneer Rilke encounters a trove of disturbing erotic photographs hidden among the belongings of a recently deceased estate owner. Driven by curiosity and his own edgy appetites, Rilke embarks on a perilous quest to uncover the truth behind these violent images, leading him deep into a world of crime and sensual deviancy. As he delves further into the mystery, he navigates a dangerous path through transvestite clubs, seedy bars, and the city's underbelly, where he's as likely to find debauchery as he is clues. Louise Welsh crafts a taut tale of suspense and desire in this gripping debut, a twisted detective story that explores the darkest realms of human craving.