Louise Welsh in conversation with Chris Brookmyre – The Cut Up

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Louise Welsh in conversation with Chris Brookmyre – The Cut Up

Thursday 29 January, 2026 7 p.m.

Waterstones, 153-157 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3EW

A stylish, atmospheric detective story – the third featuring the gay auctioneer Rilke – from the author of the award-winning cult classic, The Cutting Room.

‘I loved everything about this book – the engaging characters, the credible backdrop to a clear, sharp plot, but most of all the writing. Oh my word, that writing!’
ANN CLEEVES

‘As gritty as it is compelling… No detail slips Welsh’s eye for an undercurrent. Wonderful’
DENISE MINA

‘Rilke is a brilliant creation, as addled, queer and resilient as Glasgow itself’
ALAN CUMMING

Rilke’s trying to stay out of trouble…It’s hard to be good when living is expensive. And times are tough on the streets these days. Luckily for Rilke at Bowery Auctions the demand for no questions asked cash is at an all-time high, and business is booming. When Rilke hears his old acquaintance Les is fresh out of prison, his inclination is to stay well out of his way. Letting sleeping dogs lie is one thing – but when one of Bowery’s customers winds up dead on their tarmac, Rilke needs a bit of help from his friends to tidy things up. If only his friends didn’t have such a habit of making things worse.

It is four years since, The Second Cut, her critically acclaimed follow-up to the cult classic The Cutting Room. The Second Cut had reviews in almost every leading paper including The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Spectator and The Daily Mail.

Welsh’s books have been praised for providing ‘an indelible portrait of the loucher side of Glasgow’ and described as ‘literary, licentious and leaving you wanting more’.

The Cut Up again blurs the distinction between literary and crime fiction. There are numerous cultural references – from A Dear Green Place to Picasso’s Weeping Women – and beautiful imagery.

Tickets at Eventbrite

£4 Early Bird Ticket, £5 General Admission or £20 with a copy of The Cut Up (HB)