Louise Welsh’s “To the Dogs” takes a familiar premise – a high-flying professional with a dark past forced to confront it when his family is threatened – and gives it a Scottish noir twist. Jim Brennan, vice principal of a prestigious university, seems to have it all: a successful career, a beautiful family, and a carefully curated public image. But beneath the surface lurks a secret – a youth steeped in crime and violence.
When Jim’s son, Elliot, is arrested on drug charges, those ghosts come crashing back. Blackmailed by figures from his past, Jim is forced to make a Faustian bargain: protect his family by doing their dirty work, or risk losing everything he’s built.
The plot itself is ok, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. However, “To the Dogs” doesn’t break new ground and some of the plot points are predictable. Additionally, the pacing can drag at times, particularly in the middle sections.
Overall, “To the Dogs” is a solid, if unspectacular, thriller.