Andrew Hawley

Justin, a human rights lawyer from London, visits his family in Scotland, lost to him since childhood, while his US visa is being processed. A few weeks in Edinburgh, he figures, should be short, sweet and above all enjoyable, but his uncle Rab runs a brothel, the turbulent Birds of Paradise sauna, and a regular who enjoys a sound spanking has just scammed Rab's mum out of her savings. Now poised to do a runner, without paying what's owed, Justin must join his hunt, manage the girls, and survive being pressganged by his uncle and associates back into a life he's long since been removed from. Losing his visa may be the least of his worries.

He was once a pop star with adoring fans. Now, even his wife's left him for another woman, so he's kidnapped them both and is driving out of London with a tub full of poison and what he claims is enough antidote for two people. He's going to poison all three of them, then they'll jointly decide who gets to be saved.