To the Dogs

LoveReading Says

Playing out like a classy on-screen crime drama, Louise Welsh’s To the Dogs is a lean, character-driven page-turner that sees a successful academic forced to confront demons around his violent criminal father as his life begins to, well, go the dogs. 

Primed to take the top job at a top university, Professor Jim Brennan plays a pivotal role in many of the institution’s major endeavours, including overseeing huge global projects. He’s worked hard for everything he has — his career, family and fancy Audi — and he’s also worked hard to leave his past behind.

A major blow comes when Jim’s son is arrested on drugs charges. Drawn into his father’s shady past as paternal love drives him to put things right, it’s not long before Jim’s personal and professional life seem on the verge of imploding. There’s bribery and violence, with sub-strands around a missing Chinese student and the ethics of accepting funding from a country with questionable human rights’ records adding intrigue and upping the stakes.

Multi-layered, suspenseful and effortlessly stylish as lives unravel in increasingly unexpected, tangled ways, To the Dogs will have thriller fans walking in the shoes of its troubled protagonist every step of the way.

Reviewed by Joanne Owen
Joanne Owen’s lifelong love of reading and writing began when she was growing up in Pembrokeshire, and very much wished that witches (and Mrs Pepperpot) were real.
More reviews by Joanne Owen

About To the Dogs

Jim Brennan is flying high. Against all odds, he is a big man at the university, tipped for the head job and an office at the top of the ivory tower. He has a beautiful, accomplished wife and two healthy children. Jim drives an Audi, and his dog is a pedigree bichon frisé. Not bad for the son of a hardman who grew up in a room and kitchen.

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