Kirstin Innes Books

'Gripping and moving. A literary triumph' Nicola Sturgeon 'A humane and searching story' Ian Rankin 'Kirstin Innes is aiming high, writing for readers in the early days of a better nation' A.L. Kennedy A NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEAR * A SCOTSMAN BOOK OF THE YEAR Three days before her fifty-first birthday Clio Campbell - one-hit wonder, political activist, lifelong love and one-night-stand - kills herself in her friend Ruth's spare bedroom. And, as practical as she is, Ruth doesn't know what to do. As the news spreads around Clio's collaborators and comrades, lovers and enemies, the story of her glamorous, chaotic life spreads with it - from the Scottish Highlands to the Genoa G8 protests, from an anarchist squat in Brixton to Top of the Pops. Sifting through half a century of memories and unanswered questions, everyone who thought they know her is forced to ask: who was Clio Campbell?

The narrative follows a woman's quest to find her missing sister, immersing her in the complex realities of contemporary sex work. This debut novel provides a nuanced exploration of the lives of sex workers, prompting readers to reconsider their views on femininity, power dynamics, and the nature of choice. It is described as thoughtful and poignant, offering a compelling and poetic examination of vulnerability and resilience in a challenging world.

The Arches was one of the reasons that in recent years Glasgow has become such a cultural destination. Between 2008 and 2015 it developed a whole new generation of playwright-performers, as well as playing host to some of the largest names in dance music. This is the story of a legendary venue, told through the people who were there.